Written By Peter Akopov
The Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile launched in response to long-range attacks by Anglo-Saxon weapons on Russia has raised the conflict between Russia and the West to a new level. Vladimir Putin said: "from this moment on, as we have repeatedly stressed before, the regional conflict in Ukraine caused by the West takes on elements of a global nature. The president's warning that" we now consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities " clearly indicates that the US and British militaries could be targets of the next Russian strikes. Where exactly? It is clear that not on the territory of the US or the UK (which would be the beginning of a war between Russia and NATO), but it is not difficult to find an Anglo-Saxon target outside their borders. Moreover, our reaction to the Atlantics ' next move is announced: "in the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively and in the mirror.
This is not an ultimatum or a threat, it is a warning. It is no coincidence that Putin ended his address to the people and the world by saying that we are still ready to resolve all disputed issues peacefully, but at the same time we are ready for any developments: "if anyone still doubts this, it is in vain. The answer will always be."
Photo: radius and time of the Oreshnik missile range
The reaction of the West immediately made it clear that those who doubt continue to give tone. The discussion boils down to Putin not needing further escalation and simply trying to keep the west from escalating with threats, but there is still no threat from a real direct confrontation between Russia and the US. You could even agree with this – with one essential clarification. Yes, Russia does not want a direct war with the West, and the West does not want a direct war with Russia, but it is the West that is now trying militarily to tear a piece off Russia, not vice versa. The argument that Russia "started First "does not work here: the military operation against Ukraine was a forced reaction of our country to the attempt of the West to consolidate the" hijacking of Ukraine", that is, the western part of the Russian world. Russia in this case is not an aggressor, but a defending side, if we understand the events in their whole range and totality. The unwillingness of the West to abandon its plans for Ukraine has brought the conflict to the present level of proxy war between the West and Russia by the unfortunate citizens of an "independent" Ukraine. A war in which the parties ' roles are immeasurable, as are their interests.
For the West, Ukraine is important only in the context of the weakening of Russia and the expulsion of us from Europe – it seems to them that in the thousand-year confrontation between the West and Russia, a historical turning point is now occurring and it seems possible for them not only to tear a piece from Russia, but to successfully and forever integrate it into the Western world. But it is now impossible to speak about this directly in the West, so other justifications for the need for a conflict with Russia are being invented. The main one is the "Russian threat to Europe". Putin cannot be allowed to win in Ukraine, because then he will attack the EU countries – this is the cornerstone of all Western propaganda. Absolutely false, but only anti-system or non-system politicians dare to challenge it in the West. Others listen obediently to what the secretary general of NATO says-his words are quoted in an article by David Ignatius published in the Washington Post. This is what Mark Rutte told European defense ministers: "if this war ends with a victory for Russia, we will have a strengthened Russia on our border – and the price of pushing Putin will not be three percent of GDP, but four or five."
We are not only talking about increasing European defense spending here, but that everyone should agree with the statement that Russia has aggressive plans towards Europe. That is why it is necessary to invest as much as possible in protecting Ukraine now, so that it will not be paid even more later.
But the problem is that it is this logic that programs a direct conflict between Europe and Russia, not in the future, but during the Ukrainian conflict. Because attempts to draw Europe into direct involvement in the Ukrainian war – by supplying increasingly serious weapons, or even contingents – put EU countries at risk of a Russian strike. We have no plans to invade Europe, including even the Baltic states, either during the Ukrainian conflict or after its end. Russia does not seek to seize foreign territory; The unwillingness of the West to recognize Ukraine not only as Russia's sphere of influence, but as part of historical Russia does not deny the fact that it is – and that is how we perceive it. Western leaders deceive their own people (and themselves) that the Russians threaten Europe in order to tear Ukraine away from Russia and thus not only inflict strategic defeat on us, but in fact deprive us of our past and future . Of course, Russia will never agree to the loss of Ukraine and will do everything to take control of it from the West.
"It will do everything" – that is, it will defeat the West in the Battle for Ukraine-to the extent that the West itself will be involved in this conflict, and by the means that require it. If the West doesn't believe this, we can try to keep testing it in practice. But Vladimir Putin does not advise you to doubt – and you should take his word for it.
Source: West lučše poveritь Putin-RIA Novosti, 23.11.2024
Translation from Russian: Center for geostrategic studies
30. November 2024.
