Putin says Russia has no other way to exit Ukraine
On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin said that Russia had no room to exit in a deadlock with the U.S. over Ukraine. He added that Russia would be forced to respond brutally unless the West changed its aggressive line.
Putin addressed military officials as he pushed for an urgent NATO and U.S. response to suggestions Russia made last week for a critical set of security guarantees from the West.
Overview
Putin said that the U.S. is getting closer to Russia by having affairs in Ukraine. He also said the U.S. should understand that Russia has no other direction, and they wouldn’t stay and watch this fact.
He made his point by saying that if West’s aggressive line continues, they will take military-technical measures. Moreover, they will respond severely to unfriendly actions.
Putin did not highlight details, but he clearly repeated what Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said earlier this week. He has warned that Russia might deploy nuclear missiles in Europe. This will act as a response to what NATO designs to do to Russia.
Russia denies Ukrainian and U.S. charges that it might be preparing an invasion of Ukraine in January by Russian troops mobilized at the border.
It says it needs guarantees from the West, including a commitment not to execute NATO military activity in Eastern Europe. Ukraine’s growing ties threaten its safety with the Western coalition. As well as the chance that NATO might deploy its missiles against Russia on Ukrainian territory. On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was willing to meet Russia for direct talks in any format. However, Moscow constantly said it sees no point in meeting without transparent agenda.
In a phone call with the French President, Putin emphasized that reconvening the four-power Normandy group bringing together the leaders of Russia, France, Ukraine, and Germany would demand significant steps by Kyiv to enforce existing peace deals. But Ukraine says that Russia and its representatives are denying to engage.
