This blog has been trying to bring to attention the danger from
the death of the MAD doctrine in regards to Iran. However, we should also look
at how stable is the MAD doctrine
vis-à-vis Putin’s recent speech last October
and this one two days ago.
The unilateral withdrawal
of the USA from the INF Treaty is the most urgent
and most discussed issue in Russian-American relations. This is why
I am compelled to talk about it in more detail. Indeed, serious
changes have taken place in the world since the Treaty was
signed in 1987. Many countries have developed and continue
to develop these weapons, but not Russia or the USA – we
have limited ourselves in this respect, of our own free will.
Understandably, this state of affairs raises questions. Our American
partners should have just said so honestly rather than make far-fetched
accusations against Russia to justify their unilateral withdrawal from
the Treaty.
It would have been better if they had done
what they did in 2002 when they walked away from the ABM Treaty
and did so openly and honestly. Whether that was good or bad is
another matter. I think it was bad, but they did it and that is that.
They should have done the same thing this time, too. What are they doing
in reality? First, they violate everything, then they look
for excuses and appoint a guilty party. But they are also
mobilising their satellites that are cautious but still make noises
in support of the USA. At first, the Americans began
developing and using medium-range missiles, calling them discretionary
“target missiles” for missile defence. Then they began deploying Mk-41
universal launch systems that can make offensive combat use of Tomahawk
medium-range cruise missiles possible.
I am talking about this and using my time
and yours because we have to respond to the accusations
that are leveled at us. But having done everything I have just
described, the Americans openly and blatantly ignored
the provisions envisaged by articles 4 and 6
of the INF Treaty. According to Item 1, Article VI (I am
quoting): “Each Party shall eliminate all intermediate-range missiles
and the launchers of such missiles… so that… no such missiles,
launchers… shall be possessed by either party.” Paragraph 1 of Article
VI provides that (and I quote) “upon entry into force
of the Treaty and thereafter, neither Party may produce
or flight-test any intermediate-range missile, or produce any stages
or launchers of such missiles.” End of quote.
Using medium-range target missiles
and deploying launchers in Romania and Poland that are fit
for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, the US has openly violated
these clauses of the Treaty. They did this some time ago. These
launchers are already stationed in Romania and nothing happens. It
seems that nothing is happening. This is even strange. This is not at all
strange for us, but people should be able to see and understand
it.
How are we evaluating the situation
in this context? I have already said this and I want
to repeat: Russia does not intend – this is very important, I am
repeating this on purpose – Russia does not intend to deploy
such missiles in Europe first. If they really are built and delivered
to the European continent, and the United States has plans
for this, at least we have not heard otherwise, it will dramatically
exacerbate the international security situation, and create
a serious threat to Russia, because some of these missiles can
reach Moscow in just 10–12 minutes. This is a very serious threat to us.
In this case, we will be forced, I would like to emphasise this,
we will be forced to respond with mirror or asymmetric actions. What
does this mean?
I am saying this directly
and openly now, so that no one can blame us later, so that it will be
clear to everyone in advance what is being said here. Russia will be
forced to create and deploy weapons that can be used not only
in the areas we are directly threatened from, but also in areas
that contain decision-making centres for the missile systems threatening
us.
What is important in this regard? There
is some new information. These weapons will fully correspond
to the threats directed against Russia in their technical
specifications, including flight times to these decision-making centres.
We know how to do this and will
implement these plans immediately, as soon as the threats
to us become real. I do not think we need any further, irresponsible
exacerbation of the current international situation. We do not want
this.
The work on promising prototypes
and weapon systems that I spoke about in my Address last
year continues as scheduled and without disruptions. We have launched
serial production of the Avangard system, which I have already
mentioned today. As planned, this year, the first regiment
of the Strategic Missile Troops will be equipped with Avangard.
The Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental missile of unprecedented
power is undergoing a series of tests. The Peresvet laser weapon
and the aviation systems equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic
missiles proved their unique characteristics during test and combat alert
missions while the personnel learned how to operate them. Next
December, all the Peresvet missiles supplied to the Armed Forces
will be put on standby alert. We will continue expanding the infrastructure
for the MiG-31 interceptors carrying Kinzhal missiles.
The Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile of unlimited range
and the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle
of unlimited range are successfully undergoing tests.
In this context, I would like
to make an important statement. We did not announce it before, but
today we can say that as soon as this spring the first
nuclear-powered submarine carrying this unmanned vehicle will be launched.
The work is going as planned.
Today I also think I can officially
inform you about another promising innovation. As you may remember, last
time I said we had more to show but it was a little early
for that. So I will reveal little by little what else we have up
our sleeves. Another promising innovation, which is successfully being
developed according to plan, is Tsirkon, a hypersonic missile that
can reach speeds of approximately Mach 9 and strike a target
more than 1,000 km away both under water and on the ground. It
can be launched from water, from surface vessels and from submarines,
including those that were developed and built for carrying Kalibr
high-precision missiles, which means it comes at no additional cost
for us.
On a related note, I want
to highlight that for the defence of Russia’s national
interests, two or three years ahead of the schedule set
by the state arms programme, the Russian Navy will receive seven
new multipurpose submarines, and construction will begin on five
surface vessels designed for the open ocean. Sixteen more vessels
of this class will enter service in the Russian Navy
by 2027.
To conclude, on the unilateral
withdrawal by the USA from the Treaty
on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range
Missiles, here is what I would like to say. The US policy toward
Russia in recent years can hardly be called friendly. Russia’s legitimate
interests are being ignored, there is constant anti-Russia campaigning,
and more and more sanctions, which are illegal in terms
of international law, are imposed without any reason whatsoever. Let me emphasise
that we did nothing to provoke these sanctions. The international
security architecture that took shape over the past decades is being
completely and unilaterally dismantled, all while referring to Russia
as almost the main threat to the USA.
Let me say outright that this is not true.
Russia wants to have sound, equal and friendly relations with
the USA. Russia is not threatening anyone, and all we do
in terms of security is simply a response, which means that our
actions are defensive. We are not interested in confrontation and we
do not want it, especially with a global power like the United States
of America. However, it seems that our partners fail to notice
the depth and pace of change around the world
and where it is headed. They continue with their destructive
and clearly misguided policy. This hardly meets the interests
of the USA itself. But this is not for us to decide.
We can see that we are dealing with proactive
and talented people, but within the elite, there are also many people
who have excessive faith in their exceptionalism and supremacy over
the rest of the world. Of course, it is their right
to think what they want. But can they count? Probably they can. So let
them calculate the range and speed of our future arms systems.
This is all we are asking: just do the maths first and take decisions
that create additional serious threats to our country afterwards. It goes
without saying that these decisions will prompt Russia to respond
in order to ensure its security in a reliable and unconditional
manner.
I have already said this,
and I will repeat that we are ready to engage
in disarmament talks, but we will not knock on a locked door
anymore. We will wait until our partners are ready and become aware
of the need for dialogue on this matter.
