President Putin’s press convention on Wednesday in Uzbekistan might need been probably the most uncommon and extraordinary occasion in his 24-year political profession. After addressing the Constitutional points surrounding Ukrainian President Zelensky’s choice to stay in workplace past his four-year time period, Putin delivered a quick however disturbing assertion on NATO’s plan to fireplace long-range weapons at targets inside Russia. Putin made it clear that Russia would reply to those assaults and that the international locations that offered the weapons programs can be held accountable. He additionally gave a really detailed description of how the programs work and the way they require contractors from the country-of-origin be immediately concerned of their operation. What’s so outstanding about Putin’s feedback just isn’t the truth that they carry the world nearer to a direct confrontation between nuclear-armed adversaries, however that he needed to remind political leaders within the West that Russia just isn’t going to take a seat again and be their punching bag. Right here’s a part of what Putin mentioned:
With regard to the strikes, frankly, I’m not positive what the NATO Secretary Common is speaking about. When he was the Prime Minister of Norway, (we had good relations) and I’m constructive he was not affected by dementia again then. If he’s speaking about probably attacking Russia’s territory with long-range precision weapons, he, as an individual who heads a military-political organisation, though he’s a civilian like me, ought to pay attention to the truth that long-range precision weapons can’t be used with out space-based reconnaissance. That is my first level.My second level is that the ultimate goal choice and what is named launch mission can solely be made by extremely expert specialists who depend on this reconnaissance information, technical reconnaissance information. For some assault programs, similar to Storm Shadow, these launch missions might be put in routinely, with out the necessity to use Ukrainian navy. Who does it? Those that manufacture and those that allegedly provide these assault programs to Ukraine do. This may and does occur with out the participation of the Ukrainian navy. Launching different programs, similar to ATACMS, for instance, additionally depends on area reconnaissance information, targets are recognized and routinely communicated to the related crews that won’t even realise what precisely they’re placing in. A crew, possibly even a Ukrainian crew, then places within the corresponding launch mission. Nevertheless, the mission is put collectively by representatives of NATO international locations, not the Ukrainian navy. Putin Presser in Uzbekistan, Kremlin
Let’s summarize:
- The long-range precision weapons (missiles) are offered by NATO international locations
- The long-range precision weapons are manned by consultants or contractors from the nation of origin
- The long-range precision weapons should be linked to area reconnaissance information present by the US or NATO
- The targets in Russia are additionally offered by area reconnaissance information present by the US or NATO
The purpose that Putin is making an attempt to make is that the long-range missiles are made by NATO, furnished by NATO, operated and launched by NATO contractors, whose targets are chosen by NATO consultants utilizing area reconnaissance information offered by NATO. In each respect, the possible firing of long-range precision weapons at targets in Russia, is a NATO-US operation. Thus, there must be no confusion about who’s accountable. NATO is accountable which implies that NATO is successfully declaring struggle on Russia. Putin’s prolonged feedback merely underscore this vital level. Right here’s extra from Putin:
So, these officers from NATO international locations, particularly those primarily based in Europe, notably in small European international locations, must be totally conscious of what’s at stake. They need to remember the fact that theirs are small and densely populated international locations, which is an element to reckon with earlier than they begin speaking about placing deep into the Russian territory. It’s a severe matter and, surely, we’re watching this very fastidiously. Putin Presser in Uzbekistan, Kremlin
Naturally, the western media has centered all its consideration on the paragraph above, and for good cause; Putin is stating the plain: ‘If you happen to assault Russia, we’ll retaliate.’ That’s the underlying message. Listed below are a couple of of Friday’s (hysterical) headlines:
- Vladimir Putin Threatens ‘All-Out Conflict’ if Ukraine Makes use of Western Weapons to Hit Russia — as Volodymyr Zelensky Asks Allies for Their Permission, MSN.com
- Why is Putin once more threatening a nuclear struggle?, The Interpreter
- Putin warns the West: Russia is prepared for nuclear struggle, Reuters
- TYRANT’S THREAT: Vladimir Putin threatens all-out struggle if Ukraine makes use of Western weapons to hit Russia, The Solar
- (and one of the best of all)
Time to Name Putin’s Bluff, CNN
Is that what that is all about; testing Putin to see if he’s bluffing?
Whether it is, it’s a uniquely dangerous technique. However there’s a grain of reality to what they are saying. In spite of everything, Putin is warning that any assault on Russia will set off an instantaneous and ferocious retaliatory strike. And he’s advising the leaders of ‘small, densely populated NATO international locations’ to think about how a nuclear assault by Russia would possibly influence their prospects for the longer term. Would they actually put their total civilization in danger to seek out out whether or not Putin is bluffing or not? Right here’s Putin once more:
Have a look at what your Western colleagues are reporting. Nobody is speaking about shelling Belgorod (in Russia) or different adjoining territories. The one factor they’re speaking about is Russia opening a brand new entrance and attacking Kharkov. Not a phrase. Why is that? They did it with their very own fingers. Effectively, allow them to reap the fruits of their ingenuity. The identical factor can occur in case the long-range precision weapons which you requested about is used.Extra broadly, this never-ending escalation can result in severe penalties. If Europe had been to face these severe penalties, what is going to america do, contemplating our strategic arms parity? It’s exhausting to inform. Putin Presser in Uzbekistan, Kremlin
Putin appears genuinely mystified by the West’s conduct. Do US and NATO leaders actually suppose they’ll assault Russia with long-range missiles and Russia received’t reply? Do they actually suppose their ridiculous propaganda can influence the result of a conflict between two nuclear-armed superpowers? What are they considering or ARE they considering? We don’t know. We appear to have entered ‘uncharted stupidity’ the place desperation and ignorance converge to create a international coverage that’s utter insanity. That is from an article at Tass Information Service:
NATO international locations which have permitted strikes with their weapons on Russian territory must be conscious that their gear and specialists will probably be destroyed not solely in Ukraine, but additionally at any level from the place Russian territory is attacked, the Russian Safety Council’s Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev mentioned on his Telegram channel, noting that the participation of NATO specialists might be seen as a casus belli.“All their navy gear and specialists combating towards us will probably be destroyed each on the territory of former Ukraine and on the territory of different international locations, ought to strikes be carried out from there towards Russian territory,” Medvedev warned.
He added that Moscow proceeded from the truth that all long-range weapons provided to Ukraine had been already “immediately operated by servicemen from NATO international locations”, which is tantamount to participation within the struggle towards Russia and a cause to begin fight operations. NATO weapons to be hit in any nation from the place Russia could also be attacked — Medvedev, Tass
There it’s in black and white. The place Putin selected to take the diplomatic strategy, Medvedev opted for the hammer-blow. ‘If you happen to assault Russia, we’ll bomb you again to the Stone Age.’ Not a lot wiggle-room there. However maybe readability is what’s wanted for individuals who don’t perceive the potential penalties of their actions. In any occasion, nobody in Washington or Brussels can say they weren’t warned.
We can not exclude the chance that Washington truly needs to increase the struggle even if cities throughout Jap Europe might be incinerated within the course of. It might be that beltway warhawks see a broader battle as the one approach to obtain their geopolitical ambitions. Putin is aware of that it is a actual chance, simply as he is aware of that there’s a sizable constituency in Washington that assist using nuclear weapons. This would possibly clarify why he’s continuing so cautiously, as a result of he is aware of there are crazies inside the US institution who stay up for a conflict with their previous rival Russia to allow them to implement their pet-theories about “usable” nukes for tactical benefit. Right here’s Putin:
The USA has a principle of a ‘preventive strike’…Now they’re growing a system for a ‘disarming strike’. What does that imply? It means placing at management centres with fashionable high-tech weapons to destroy the opponent’s capability to counterattack.
Putin has devoted a substantial period of time finding out US Nuclear Doctrine, and it has him deeply involved. In spite of everything, didn’t the Biden administration launch an unprecedented assault on “a key ingredient of Russia’s nuclear umbrella” simply final week?
Certainly, they did.
And hasn’t the US (by way of its Nuclear Posture Evaluate) rebranded the offensive use of nuclear weapons as a justifiable act of protection?
It has.
And doesn’t this revision present US warhawks with the institutional framework wanted to launch a nuclear assault with out concern of authorized prosecution?
It does.
And haven’t these identical warhawks developed their respective theories on “first-strike”, “preemption” and “disarming strike” as a way to lay the groundwork for a first-strike nuclear assault on a geopolitical rival of Washington?
They’ve.
And doesn’t US Nuclear Doctrine state that nuclear weapons can be utilized “in excessive circumstances to defend the very important pursuits of america or its allies and companions.”
It does.
And does that definition embrace financial rivals like China?
Sure.
And is {that a} protection of a “first strike” nuclear weapon assault?
It’s.
And does that imply that america now not regards its nuclear arsenal as purely defensive however as a necessary instrument for preserving the “rules-based order”?
Sure, it does.
And does Putin know that there are highly effective actors within the political institution and deep state who wish to see the taboo on nuclear weapons lifted to allow them to be utilized in extra conditions and with better frequency?
He does.
And does he know that Washington regards Russia and China as the first threats to US international hegemony and the “rules-based order”?
Sure.
And does he notice that if the US implements its first-strike coverage Russia could not have the time to retaliate?
He does.
And does Putin notice that international coverage analysts regard him as a restrained and cheap man who could not pull the set off or reply promptly when Russia faces a preemptive assault that may inflict the strategic defeat on Moscow the West seeks?
No, he doesn’t. He nonetheless thinks that possessing a big cache of nuclear weapons will deter US aggression. However a big cache of nuclear weapons is not any deterrent when your opponent is satisfied you received’t use them.
Typically being cheap just isn’t one of the best ways to fend off an adversary. Typically you need to be somewhat loopy.
That’s a lesson Putin must study. Quick.
