Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Moscow has successfully tested a new powerful strategic missile and did not rule out the possibility of conducting weapon tests that include nuclear explosions for the first time in more than three decades. Putin stated for the first time that success was on Moscow’s side with the testing of the "Burevestnik" nuclear-powered cruise missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and with a range of several thousand miles.
He also mentioned at an annual gathering of analysts and journalists that Russia is nearly finished working on the "Sarmat" intercontinental ballistic missile system, another key element of its new generation of nuclear weapons. He added that if Moscow detects such an attack, "a large number of our missiles will appear in the air, hundreds and hundreds, so that no enemy will have a chance of survival."
Russia has not conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion since 1990, a year before the collapse of the Soviet Union, but Putin did not rule out the option of resuming such tests. He pointed out that the United States has not ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, while Russia has signed and ratified it. He stated that the Russian State Duma could theoretically revoke its ratification.
In response to a question from Russian analyst Sergei Karaganov, who advocated lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, Putin said, "I simply do not see the necessity for that." He added, "There is no situation today where, for example, something is threatening the Russian state and its existence. No. I believe that no sane person would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia."
Putin reiterated on Thursday his stance that Russia did not start the war in Ukraine, but launched what it describes as a "special military operation" to try to stop it. During his annual speech at the Valdai Discussion Club meeting in Sochi, he stated that Russia, the largest country in the world by land area, did not need to seize territory from Ukraine.
He indicated that the conflict there is not imperialistic nor about territory, but about the world order. He revealed that Ukraine has lost more than 90,000 soldiers since its counteroffensive began in early June. Putin also stated that Kyiv has lost 557 tanks and around 1,900 armored vehicles. He noted that the West, which has lost its dominant power and needs an enemy to oppose, has lost touch with reality.
Putin accused the United States of arrogantly instructing other countries on how to behave. Addressing the U.S., he said, "All the time we hear (you must) and (you have to) and (we warn you seriously). Who are you anyway? What right do you have to warn anyone? Perhaps it is time for you to rid yourselves of your arrogance and stop behaving that way with the world."
He added that Russia views all civilizations as equals and is ready for "constructive cooperation," while the West has forgotten the meaning of compromise and portrays any country that stands against it as an enemy, citing China, India, and Arab countries as examples.
