Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to take issue with President Joe Biden’s recent warnings to “end the war” in Ukraine.
RTM previously reported that President Biden said:
“This war was never a necessity — it is a tragedy … [Putin] chose this war. Every day the war continues; this is his choice. He could end the war with a word. It’s simple: if Russia stopped invading Ukraine, it would end the war.”
Biden also warned Russia that America and a “worldwide coalition of more than 50 nations” will ensure that Ukraine can defend itself.
In an escalation of the war of words, Putin warned that he would suspend his nation’s participation in a nuclear arms treaty and threatened to resume nuclear weapons testing.
Putin also accused the “elites of the West” of creating unnecessary tension.
“The elites of the West do not hide their purpose. But they also cannot fail to realize that it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield,” Putin said.
Noting that actions would back his words, Putin said he would soon order Russia to withdraw from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, a bilateral agreement signed by former Presidents Obama and Dmitry Medvedev.
Tensions escalated when, on Monday, President Biden met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, pledging $500,000 in additional support in financial aid and military assistance.
Fox News reported that the U.S. would provide shells for howitzers, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid.
Putin justified his threat by claiming the West was attempting to achieve a “strategic defeat” and assume control of Russia’s nuclear capabilities.
Regarding the use of nuclear weapons, Putin said: “Of course, we will not do this first. But if the United States conducts tests, then we will.”
Putin added: “No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed. A week ago, I signed a decree on putting new ground-based strategic systems on combat duty. Are they going to stick their nose in there too, or what?”
According to the Arms Control Association, America and Russia control more than 90% of the 13,000 nuclear warheads in the world.
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