February 20, 2019
The unilateral withdrawal of the USA from the INF Treaty is the most urgent and most discussed issue in Russian-American relations. This is why I am compelled to talk about it in more detail. Indeed, serious changes have taken place in the world since the Treaty was signed in 1987. Many countries have developed and continue to develop these weapons, but not Russia or the USA – we have limited ourselves in this respect, of our own free will. Understandably, this state of affairs raises questions. Our American partners should have just said so honestly rather than make far-fetched accusations against Russia to justify their unilateral withdrawal from the Treaty.
It would have been better if they had done what they did in 2002 when they walked away from the ABM Treaty and did so openly and honestly. Whether that was good or bad is another matter. I think it was bad, but they did it and that is that. They should have done the same thing this time, too. What are they doing in reality? First, they violate everything, then they look for excuses and appoint a guilty party. But they are also mobilising their satellites that are cautious but still make noises in support of the USA. At first, the Americans began developing and using medium-range missiles, calling them discretionary “target missiles” for missile defence. Then they began deploying Mk-41 universal launch systems that can make offensive combat use of Tomahawk medium-range cruise missiles possible.
I am talking about this and using my time and yours because we have to respond to the accusations that are leveled at us. But having done everything I have just described, the Americans openly and blatantly ignored the provisions envisaged by articles 4 and 6 of the INF Treaty. According to Item 1, Article VI (I am quoting): “Each Party shall eliminate all intermediate-range missiles and the launchers of such missiles… so that… no such missiles, launchers… shall be possessed by either party.” Paragraph 1 of Article VI provides that (and I quote) “upon entry into force of the Treaty and thereafter, neither Party may produce or flight-test any intermediate-range missile, or produce any stages or launchers of such missiles.” End of quote.
Using medium-range target missiles and deploying launchers in Romania and Poland that are fit for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, the US has openly violated these clauses of the Treaty. They did this some time ago. These launchers are already stationed in Romania and nothing happens. It seems that nothing is happening. This is even strange. This is not at all strange for us, but people should be able to see and understand it.
How are we evaluating the situation in this context? I have already said this and I want to repeat: Russia does not intend – this is very important, I am repeating this on purpose – Russia does not intend to deploy such missiles in Europe first. If they really are built and delivered to the European continent, and the United States has plans for this, at least we have not heard otherwise, it will dramatically exacerbate the international security situation, and create a serious threat to Russia, because some of these missiles can reach Moscow in just 10–12 minutes. This is a very serious threat to us. In this case, we will be forced, I would like to emphasise this, we will be forced to respond with mirror or asymmetric actions. What does this mean?
I am saying this directly and openly now, so that no one can blame us later, so that it will be clear to everyone in advance what is being said here. Russia will be forced to create and deploy weapons that can be used not only in the areas we are directly threatened from, but also in areas that contain decision-making centres for the missile systems threatening us.
What is important in this regard? There is some new information. These weapons will fully correspond to the threats directed against Russia in their technical specifications, including flight times to these decision-making centres.
We know how to do this and will implement these plans immediately, as soon as the threats to us become real. I do not think we need any further, irresponsible exacerbation of the current international situation. We do not want this.
What would I like to add? Our American colleagues have already tried to gain absolute military superiority with their global missile defence project. They need to stop deluding themselves. Our response will always be efficient and effective.
The work on promising prototypes and weapon systems that I spoke about in my Address last year continues as scheduled and without disruptions. We have launched serial production of the Avangard system, which I have already mentioned today. As planned, this year, the first regiment of the Strategic Missile Troops will be equipped with Avangard. The Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental missile of unprecedented power is undergoing a series of tests. The Peresvet laser weapon and the aviation systems equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles proved their unique characteristics during test and combat alert missions while the personnel learned how to operate them. Next December, all the Peresvet missiles supplied to the Armed Forces will be put on standby alert. We will continue expanding the infrastructure for the MiG-31 interceptors carrying Kinzhal missiles. The Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile of unlimited range and the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle of unlimited range are successfully undergoing tests.
In this context, I would like to make an important statement. We did not announce it before, but today we can say that as soon as this spring the first nuclear-powered submarine carrying this unmanned vehicle will be launched. The work is going as planned.
Today I also think I can officially inform you about another promising innovation. As you may remember, last time I said we had more to show but it was a little early for that. So I will reveal little by little what else we have up our sleeves. Another promising innovation, which is successfully being developed according to plan, is Tsirkon, a hypersonic missile that can reach speeds of approximately Mach 9 and strike a target more than 1,000 km away both under water and on the ground. It can be launched from water, from surface vessels and from submarines, including those that were developed and built for carrying Kalibr high-precision missiles, which means it comes at no additional cost for us.
On a related note, I want to highlight that for the defence of Russia’s national interests, two or three years ahead of the schedule set by the state arms programme, the Russian Navy will receive seven new multipurpose submarines, and construction will begin on five surface vessels designed for the open ocean. Sixteen more vessels of this class will enter service in the Russian Navy by 2027.
To conclude, on the unilateral withdrawal by the USA from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, here is what I would like to say. The US policy toward Russia in recent years can hardly be called friendly. Russia’s legitimate interests are being ignored, there is constant anti-Russia campaigning, and more and more sanctions, which are illegal in terms of international law, are imposed without any reason whatsoever. Let me emphasise that we did nothing to provoke these sanctions. The international security architecture that took shape over the past decades is being completely and unilaterally dismantled, all while referring to Russia as almost the main threat to the USA.
Let me say outright that this is not true. Russia wants to have sound, equal and friendly relations with the USA. Russia is not threatening anyone, and all we do in terms of security is simply a response, which means that our actions are defensive. We are not interested in confrontation and we do not want it, especially with a global power like the United States of America. However, it seems that our partners fail to notice the depth and pace of change around the world and where it is headed. They continue with their destructive and clearly misguided policy. This hardly meets the interests of the USA itself. But this is not for us to decide.
We can see that we are dealing with proactive and talented people, but within the elite, there are also many people who have excessive faith in their exceptionalism and supremacy over the rest of the world. Of course, it is their right to think what they want. But can they count? Probably they can. So let them calculate the range and speed of our future arms systems. This is all we are asking: just do the maths first and take decisions that create additional serious threats to our country afterwards. It goes without saying that these decisions will prompt Russia to respond in order to ensure its security in a reliable and unconditional manner.
I have already said this, and I will repeat that we are ready to engage in disarmament talks, but we will not knock on a locked door anymore. We will wait until our partners are ready and become aware of the need for dialogue on this matter.
Seems to be a tone of desperation in Putins appeal for the west to listen. Lets hope this time that somebody in the US regime will listen. But seriously doubt it.
They cant, you stand in the way of defective western ideology and you are the enemy, this much I have proved.
Agree. Russia represents everything the West hates. Putin himself embodies all the characteristics that they hate.
Sometimes it takes a slap for a bully to listen…Putin’s got it absolutely correct when he said , ” but within the elite, there are also many people who have excessive faith in their exceptionalism and supremacy over the rest of the world. ” I believe they’ve realised that the ME is lost to them and with bankruptcy looming they quickly needed to regroup and try to colonise another country with vast resources , asap ..as far away from Russia , Iran etc as possible , but I’m not sure Venezuela is going to be any easier than Syria
It looks normal to me. Do not worry people, everything is “under control”.
President Putin, along with people in MoD know sure that direct threat to the Evil-Empire will not get into their heads. Consequently, they need to make them thinking the answer of “what would Russia really do” in case, Trump or the next Moronistan government decide to play with fire by deploying more launchers close to RF’s border.
Remember the reaction from Axis of fallen-angel when Russia attacked isis with Kalibr through Caspian Sea? That was enough show off of Russian missile’s capability.
Today Russian Military have “serious, precise, and ready to launch” missiles in their inventory (compare to Trump’s nice, new and smart missfails). So to speak about long range Sarmat ICBM, Avangard, Bulava. These weapons are OVERKILL! but crucial to ensure TOTAL destruction of US mainland from very-very-FAR-away.
American must Wake the hell Up! US army’s Pathetic Missfail Defense System will not protect USA from ICBMs. So to speak, the day when war is fought outside of US mainland is over!
Ill-fated US mothership shall meet its fate on the deep sea, but the crew could still save themselves. Wake up, for your sake, wake up before it’s too late…☕
RR
Gus
“Tone of desperation in Putin’s appeal” ? I think not. He gave a realistic presentation. As for the US, it’s withdrawl from the INF Treaty was a very foolish decision. Washington should have analyzed the consequences of this act. Now it’s European allies are convinced that the US is prepared to have them sacrificed in a potential confrontation with Russia. This will certainly contribute to the dissolevement of both the EU and NATO. We now have open demands in Germany that all sanctions against Russia be terminated and that Washington cannot issue dictates to Europe.
“I am saying this directly and openly now, so that no one can blame us later, so that it will be clear to everyone in advance what is being said here. Russia will be forced to create and deploy weapons that can be used not only in the areas we are directly threatened from, but also in areas that contain decision-making centres for the missile systems threatening us.
What is important in this regard? There is some new information. These weapons will fully correspond to the threats directed against Russia in their technical specifications, including flight times to these decision-making centres.
We know how to do this and will implement these plans immediately, as soon as the threats to us become real. I do not think we need any further, irresponsible exacerbation of the current international situation. We do not want this.
What would I like to add? Our American colleagues have already tried to gain absolute military superiority with their global missile defence project. They need to stop deluding themselves. Our response will always be efficient and effective.”
Putin is not bluffing.
Telesur covered this speech:
Putin Threatens US Soil If Missiles Deployed in Europe
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Putin-Threatens-US-Soil-If-Missiles-Deployed-in-Europe-20190220-0011.html
Americans can have medical care for all, and affordable college for our kids, with the current, massive student loan debt forgiven, if only we would stop throwing hundreds of billions of dollars at the military to fight enemies that don’t want to fight us. We could even give our teachers a payraise.
How bout it Americans? Do you want a decent life? Or WW3?
Good idea you have there.
I look forward to NFL games and NASCAR races with RF Su-35s flying over during the national anthem.
Detente!
Well, it is such unfortunate that the fate of average Joe and Jane, were already decided by some satanic, brainless, devil worshippers in DC. I feel bad for them honestly.
PressTV says (insinuates) that they sinked a cargo carrying S400 for Chine in the Channel (btw France & England)
Oh sure. Rather than simply delivering such a sensitive shipment directly across the Russian-Chinese border, the Russians would load it onto a ship so that it can sail through a narrow strait between the territories of two of its worst enemies.
A year ago in January 2018 they sent three ships through the Channel. One of them was caught in a storm and that ship had to return because cargo was damaged. Russians had to destroy it and make new one.
Now Rosoboronexport filed a lawsuit against shipping company for damaging missiles during their transportation.
http://tass.com/defense/1045801
Powerful, truth based, statement. Russia as the Soviet Union won WW11 hands down losing 22 to 40 million souls to do so. US, reluctant to join WW11, yet all it’s corporations planned, funded, the war with Hitler unknown to it’s people. 9/11 totally supported by the Oil corporations in the form of Vice President D. Cheney, approved in order to remove US Constitutional Law. Done! US losses were less than a million dead, it’s land untouched by bombs. Europe was devastated, US troops at it’s end ordered to massacre all prisoners of war. US Marshal Plan set up to tie up the continent with-in US debts. Done. The US I M F resulted to facilitate and continue this debt forever. La Guard a pretty US tool to drive the lesson of obedience home.
US Regime Change wars done in order to destroy the European Continent are, instead destroying US power as the dissent to US Uni-Polar hegemony, so manufactured, spreads it’s orders across that continent.
Manufacturing facts is not a human right. Ancient Habeas Corpus states this. 9/11 US allowed, removed it.
Putin once again points out that the US bases in Romania and Poland are armed with missiles that violate the INF agreement and threaten to strike Russia with little or no warning. See the Feb 14 article by Ted Postol in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which states the Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania could be armed with 128 to more than 200 missiles each, including upgraded nuclear-armed Tomahawk missiles that have increased range and speed (probably each armed with a 300-kiloton warhead). https://thebulletin.org/2019/02/russia-may-have-violated-the-inf-treaty-heres-how-the-united-states-appears-to-have-done-the-same/
Given that Putin says the US has already placed the weapons there, doesn’t that mean he has to respond now, or already has responded (not “will” respond)?
So let them calculate the range and speed of our “future” arms systems.
the Russian Navy will receive seven new multipurpose submarines, and construction will begin on five surface vessels designed for the open ocean. Sixteen more vessels of this class will enter service in the Russian Navy by 2027
it seems that the Americans will not wait till Russia has all these goodies in place and provoke a major conflict before that. Testing Russia’s responses in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba again?
This Federal Address is awesome. The addresses by US President Trump, Pompeo, Bolton, Brennan, Mueller
etc are speeches without any real purposes except war, more deaths and the vital need to lie continuously….by comparison.
I wonder if the enemies of mankind have considered the time, when Putin is not around anymore to smoothen the waves in this nightbowl of ours…
…or when someone with some serious steel in their heart takes up residence in the White House…
I am afraid, we ain’t seen nuttn yet…
Not to mention the verbal and written agreement in the INF prohibiting the addition if former USSR countries to join NATO.
As far as any hope of things improving if Trump loses 2020, chances look remote. New Jersey Democrats have admitted that they are both to stupid to defeat Trump in a debate, and too aligned with his least popular positions to beat him in a debate, and have more skeletons in their closets than Trump does to beat him in a debate, so they have decided to ban him from the 2020 ballot for not providing his tax returns, which they have zero authority to do.
The Democrats and their puppet masters are extremely embarrassed that they have been exposed as a self-serving crime ring.
That is all that this is about…
National distraction, fooling nobody but themselves as they fall further down the ladder.
If someone is both too incompetent and corrupt to defeat someone based on intellectual and moral merits, and must resort to silencing all dissenting voices, and a campaign of blatant lies, they do not deserve any platform, or position of power.