Hours before taking oath for the fifth term, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a snap exercise in the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the Southern Military District, which borders Ukraine. According to Russia’s foreign and defense ministries, the drill is intended as a warning to the US and its allies not to escalate the Ukraine conflict any further.
The Russian Foreign Ministry in its statement said, the tactical nuclear drills are taking place “in the context of recent belligerent statements by Western officials and sharply destabilizing actions taken by a number of NATO countries” in connection with the Ukraine conflict.
According to a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2020, Moscow’s nuclear arsenal is intended to deter external aggression against Russia. The doctrine is “defensive in nature, aimed at maintaining the potential of nuclear forces at a level sufficient to ensure nuclear deterrence, and guarantees the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, deterring a potential enemy from aggression against the Russian Federation and or its allies, and – in the event of a military conflict – preventing the escalation of hostilities and their cessation on terms acceptable to the Russian Federation and or its allies”.
The decree specified, Russia views nuclear weapons “solely as a means of deterrence” and considers their use “an extreme and forced measure”.
The doctrine outlines the conditions under which the Russian president would be justified in authorizing the use of atomic weapons. Of particular importance in Section 17, which spells out that Russia “reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear weapons and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and/or its allies, as well as in the event of aggression against Russian Federation using conventional weapons, when the existence of the state itself is at risk”.
Meanwhile, during his inauguration speech, President Vladimir Putin said, it is up to the West to decide if it wants to engage in dialogue with Russia or pursue endless aggression in an attempt to hamper the country’s development.
Commenting on the future of Russia and its relations with other nations, Putin stressed that “we do not refuse dialogue with Western states. The choice is theirs: do they intend to continue trying to restrain the development of Russia, continue the policy of aggression and relentless pressure that they have pursued for years, or look for a path to cooperation and peace”.
This cooperation must include discussions on issues of security and strategic stability, according to the Russian president. However, any talks must be carried out with mutual respect on equal terms, and without “arrogance, conceit, and personal exclusivity”, Putin insisted.
“Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign development centers, we will continue to work to form a multipolar world order and an equal and indivisible security system”, Putin said. At the same time, Russia will strive to remain self-sufficient and competitive, he added.
Putin also stressed the importance of remembering “the tragic price of internal turmoil and upheaval”. In order to ensure its unity and independence, Russia’s statehood and socio-political system must be flexible and resistant to any challenges and threats, the president insisted.
The president also said society has changed in recent years, and has begun to value “reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage”.
President Putin went on to promise to use his powers as head of state to ensure that all Russian citizens who have proven their loyalty and have shown “their best human and professional qualities” are given leading positions in public administration, the economy, and other spheres.
Putin concluded his speech by vowing to do everything within his power to justify the Russian people’s trust in him, and called for unity and cohesion centered on a “common desire to benefit the Fatherland, protect it, and work with full dedication”.
“We are a united and great people, and together we will overcome all obstacles and bring all our plans to life. Let’s win together”, Putin stated.
