Russian President Vladimir Putin (21) announced on Wednesday that up to 300,000 reservists have been mobilized to fight in the Ukraine War, and said he will protect the population of the occupied territories, which he plans to annex, with nuclear weapons, if necessary, after the referendums. It was held in four Ukrainian regions in the east and south of the country from Friday (23).
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, there has been fear of a more serious conflict that could trigger World War III. Threats from the Russian government were not lacking:
nuclear threat
Since the beginning of the invasion Russian Putin and Russian officials make clear the possibility of a nuclear war should any country help the Ukrainians or decide to approach NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
Russia warned the West that there would be a harsh military response to any attack on Russian soil, and accused the United States and its European allies of openly inciting Ukraine to attack Russia.
By helping the Ukrainians, Putin threatened “lightning-fast” retaliation against all Western countries involved in the conflict. In his speech on Wednesday, Putin said the country has “a lot of weapons to deal with” and delivered a clear message: “This is not a bluff”.
“Our country also has various means of destruction, and we will of course use all the means in our power for separate and more modern components from NATO countries, and to protect Russia and our people when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened,” said Putin.
It’s clamoring and demonstrating new weapons developed by the country that can carry increasingly powerful warheads and hit targets with great precision. It launched supersonic and intercontinental missiles, introduced high-tech lasers, and invested in sophisticated weapons.
Threats to NATO Allies
Former President of Russia and member of the Security Council, former President Dmitry Medvedev, has already mentioned the possibility of using nuclear weapons if Finland and Sweden join NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The two countries joined the group in July. He made the threat openly, saying that there was no longer any talk of a “nuclear-free” Baltic.
“There can be no more talk of a nuclear-free Baltic. The balance needs to be restored. To date, Russia has not taken these measures and has not planned to take them. But what if we are forced? Remember: We are not the ones suggesting it,” he told Russian news agencies in April.
Image: Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/Reuters
Gas supply interruption
But so far, threats rising from the ground have been about gas supplies. Russia has already stopped supplies to Bulgaria and Poland after the Russian government rejected the ruble payment requirement, a tactic used to directly target European economies and which the Russians said was designed to protect their economies from sanctions.
“No one is selling us anything for free, and we will not do charity work. This means that existing contracts will be terminated if gas is not paid in rubles,” Putin said. said. European leaders called the measure “blackmail”.
In August, the delivery of Russian gas through the Nord Stream pipeline was suspended for three days. The Kremlin later said that cutting off the gas supply was the sole responsibility of the West. According to Moscow, the sanctions imposed on Russia due to the occupation of Ukraine prevent the proper maintenance of infrastructure in the energy sector.
Russia is Europe’s main gas supplier.
blocked at the border
In March, Russia announced that it had banned European leaders and most MEPs from entering its territory, in retaliation for punitive measures against Moscow for its military intervention in Ukraine.
The measure was applied to political leaders of EU member states, as well as public figures and journalists who support illegal sanctions against Russia.
“The restrictions apply to the vast majority of MEPs who support anti-Russian policies, as well as the most important leaders of the European Union, including European Commissioners and heads of European military bodies,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Said. statement in March.
source: Noticias
