In a new episode: Putin warned of a tough response to any escalation
Russia has already been attacked twice by ATACMS missiles after using the latest hypersonic system "Oreshnik": Moscow will continue to respond to such escalation, but when, how and with what weapons will be determined by the Defense Ministry. Vladimir Putin said this following his visit to Kazakhstan on November 28, answering Izvestia's question. At the CSTO summit, the president announced that Moscow has already started serial production of the Oreshnik. However, the emergence of Russia's latest powerful weapons systems, which have no analogues in the world, does not change its approach to the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Russia remains ready for contacts with Western leaders on the Ukrainian issue.
How CSTO Participants Reacted to Armenia's Absence
On November 28, Kazakhstan hosted the annual summit of CSTO leaders chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The heads of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Kyrgyzstan's Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajikistan's Emomali Rakhmon and Russian leader Vladimir Putin came to Astana. He is also in the republic on a state visit - the day before Putin held talks with Tokayev. And already on the day of the CSTO summit, the first persons arrived at the Palace of Independence closer to 14:00, and each Kazakh leader met personally.
- In general, all the tasks facing the CSTO during the presidency of the Republic of Kazakhstan have been accomplished. Let me express my great gratitude for the support in the realization of our priorities and fruitful joint work," said Kasym-Jomart Tokayev at the opening of the summit.
By the way, all CSTO members, except Armenia, gathered around the common table. The republic froze its participation earlier, but did not announce its withdrawal. At the same time, the organization continues to consider Armenia as an ally, despite Yerevan's non-participation in the structure's events, CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov told journalists. This is confirmed by the fact that in all the halls of the palace along with the state symbols of other countries there was also the Armenian flag.
Flags of CSTO members
Vladimir Putin, already at the final press conference, also did not rule out that Yerevan would return to full-scale work in the CSTO. According to the President, each country has the right to choose what it wants to do in the field of security, and Armenia's current actions are dictated by the processes inside the country. He also noted that the events related to Nagorno-Karabakh have their own specifics and that "it is strange that the CSTO should have fought on the territory of this enclave". Earlier Nikol Pashinyan repeatedly criticized the CSTO for insufficient assistance in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In his opinion, the organization's activities even allegedly created threats to the sovereignty of the republic.
According to experts, as long as Pashinyan is in power, Yerevan's position on the CSTO is likely to remain the same.
- If the leadership and political elites change, Armenia's position on this issue will change. There is, of course, still a possibility that some large-scale conflict in the Caucasus region may arise, within the framework of which Armenia will urgently need the CSTO's assistance," says Bogdan Bezpalko, a member of the Presidential Council on Interethnic Relations.
Kazakhstan is handing over the CSTO chairmanship to Kyrgyzstan this year. At the extended session, Sadyr Zhaparov presented plans for the association's development: Bishkek intends to pay special attention to strengthening biological security. He also called on the CSTO countries to strengthen the fight against the spread of destructive ideology among young people. There will also be a question of strengthening ties within the organization.
At the end of the summit, the leaders signed 14 documents, including the final declaration of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. It reflects all the agreed positions of the CSTO countries, including on strengthening peace and forming a sustainable security system in Eurasia. Other topics include, in particular, the fight against terrorism and drugs, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but not the Ukrainian crisis. A statement on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War was also agreed upon, and there is also a decision on the plan of relevant events. No less important was the approval of the program of strengthening the border with Afghanistan to ensure the security of Central Asia. The CSTO Secretary General explained that the signing of this program will make it possible to jointly develop this section of the border and thus ensure the security of the entire region.
Enlarged meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Collective Security Council at the Palace of Independence
Moscow's response to attacks with long-range weapons
The recent escalation of the situation in Ukraine gave the Astana meeting special significance, given that Russia is a member of the CSTO. Kiev, backed by NATO countries, launched strikes with American (ATACMS) and British (Storm Shadow) long-range missiles on Russian territory. Against this background, Vladimir Putin announced that the regional conflict has acquired a global character. The Russian Armed Forces retaliated with a strike on the territory of Ukraine: one of the largest industrial complexes, Yuzhmash, was hit in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. The newest medium-range missile system "Oreshnik" was used for this purpose.
Moscow has already started its serial production, the president told an enlarged session. The newest strike hypersonic missile system is capable of hitting objects located at great depth and well-defended. In addition, "Oreshnik" has no analogues in the world. As Vladimir Putin emphasized, the emergence of such weapons strengthens Russia's military position.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Astana.
- According to military and technical experts, in case of massive, group application of these missiles, i.e. several missiles at once, in a single strike, its power will be comparable to the use of nuclear weapons. Although the Oreshnik is certainly not a weapon of mass destruction," the head of state said.
The Russian Federation will respond to the ongoing strikes with Western long-range weapons, including tests of "Oreshnik." Putin also noted that the Kiev regime has repeatedly attempted to strike targets of state importance in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Answering a question from Izvestia correspondent Alena Nefedova, the president said that there are risks of continuing to use US missiles to strike Russian territory. Russia has already been attacked twice by ATACMS missiles after the use of "Oreshnik", the damage is minimal, but it is there, the president emphasized.
- This means direct involvement of Western countries in an armed conflict. Well, what about it? If their specialists lay down flight assignments and transmit intelligence information to themselves and coordinate strikes on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation. <...> And once again I emphasize and want to say: of course, we will respond to such acts of aggression against the Russian Federation. How and when, with what weapons - it will depend on the targets that will be selected by the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense," the president said.
As Vladimir Putin noted, the Russian Armed Forces have been striking back for two days. "And today it was quite comprehensive: 90 missiles were used in the strike and 100 unmanned strike vehicles. 17 objects on the territory of Ukraine were hit, different: both military, military-industrial, and support facilities that work for the armed forces and industrial defense enterprises," he specified.
Iskander-M ballistic missile
At the same time, during the CSTO meeting, Vladimir Putin said that the Ukrainian authorities were illegitimate. "They are completely illegitimate today and, coming from a purely legal point of view, do not even have the right to give orders to the armed forces," the Russian president said.
He said Moscow could use the Oreshnik to strike military industry facilities. The Russian General Staff and Defense Ministry are now selecting targets to be hit by this system on the territory of Ukraine. The decision-making centers in Kiev could also become them. In addition, Putin promised that other new missile systems will appear in the Russian Federation.
- As for the production of relevant missile systems, relevant equipment, Russia has 10 times more than the total production of all NATO countries combined. Next year, this production will be increased by another 25-30%," the Russian leader said.
Assembly of S-300P and S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems
Against the background of escalation and exchange of missile strikes, expectedly, the ruble fell noticeably. Thus, the Bank of Russia set the official dollar rate at 109.57 rubles on November 29, which is 1 ruble 57 kopecks higher than the previous figure. The euro rose by 3.05 rubles - to 116.14 rubles. The Ministry of Economic Development explained it by rising inflation. However, Vladimir Putin assured that the situation is under control. "As for the ruble exchange rate, it <...> is related to both payments to the budget and oil prices. There are a lot of seasonal factors here," the president explained.
Relations with the West and settlement of the Ukrainian conflict
According to the Russian president, Moscow's attitude towards the settlement of the situation in Ukraine has not changed due to the appearance of new weapons systems. Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia is still ready for the negotiation process, but on the terms that he outlined at a meeting with the Foreign Ministry leadership in June this year. Among them are the withdrawal of the Ukrainian military from Donbas and Novorossiya and Kiev's refusal to join NATO.
Moreover, Vladimir Putin said that the Russian Federation continues to have contacts with many countries with which "very complicated relations", Moscow is also open to talking with the leaders of the West. Thus, on November 15, the president spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - this is the first conversation with the head of the FRG in two years. The Russian leader expressed hope that the degradation of relations with European partners would pass. However, he pointed to Washington's too strong influence on Brussels.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- This is happening before the eyes of the whole world. It just seems to me that Europe has been lowered below the plinth, it has ceased to exist as an independent political sovereign center of world politics. It dances a butterfly polka-dance to the tune of the Americans only at the first whistle, even to its own detriment," said the President.
He expressed hope that the course of developing relations with Russia of its own peoples would prevail in Europe. "We have never, me included, have never refused and do not refuse contacts in the future. If anyone has a desire, please, we are open," the president said.
Putin also touched on the figure of Donald Trump, who has repeatedly promised to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, and literally in 24 hours. He noted that absolutely uncivilized means of struggle were used against him - up to the attempted assassination, and more than once.
- We're still two months away from Trump's arrival. And probably now hardly any statements or actions from the Russian side can influence the outgoing administration of Joe Biden. The course of maximum support for Kiev is likely to continue, and this will concern both the supply of weapons and authorization for their use," RIAC research director Andrei Kortunov told Izvestia.
The role of the CSTO amid Russian attacks with long-range missiles
Imangali Tasmagambetov said that there is no separate issue on the agenda of CSTO meetings in Astana concerning strikes on Russian territory, and Russia has not yet requested assistance from the organization. According to Bogdan Bezpalko, this issue will not be raised.
Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Imangali Tasmagambetov during a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council
- The Crimean bridge was hit and missiles were regularly fired at Crimea. And Russia was quite able to cope with it, and our troops are still moving forward. Rather, the subject of discussion is the development of the organization, coherence of actions to deal with possible challenges and so on," he said.
Putin noted that CSTO partners are unlikely to be able to help in such a situation. "Most likely, even in these conditions, we are able to provide them with as much help as we can," he noted. - And we have enough such resources and reserves of strength for our allies, if necessary".
Against the backdrop of the use of long-range weapons, Ukraine for the Western military-industrial complex is becoming a testing ground for already produced combat systems, such as HIMARS, MLRS, American missile systems, and ammunition of the newest types, Dmitry Kornev, editor of the MilitaryRussia portal, told Izvestia.
Weapons bound for Ukraine
- The most recent is the GLSDB bomb," he explained. - The United States has not yet adopted it. The munition is very fresh, but it is already being supplied to Ukraine and used there. It is understandable that information is being gathered about its operation. The same applies to small kamikaze drones of various kinds.
The use of European cruise missiles Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG is also a kind of test of how it all works in the conditions of a new theater of military operations, the expert summarized.
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