Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Jan. 21 address to the nation and the world (it was broadcast live with English-language interpretation) was a stark statement about the existential threat posed to Russia by the Ukrainian developments. Largely blacked out in the Western media, we publish the full text of his remarks in the Documentation section of this briefing. Here we highlight the paragraphs in which Putin explains the significance of placing nuclear-capable weapons on Russia’s very doorstep. (Kremlin text: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67828; RT broadcast with English interpretation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjMnTo85S4A)
“The situation continues to deteriorate, including in the strategic area. Thus, positioning areas for interceptor missiles are being established in Romania and Poland as part of the U.S. project to create a global missile defense system. It is common knowledge that the launchers deployed there can be used for Tomahawk cruise missiles – offensive strike systems.
“In addition, the United States is developing its all-purpose Standard Missile-6, which can provide air and missile defense, as well as strike ground and surface targets. In other words, the allegedly defensive U.S. missile defense system is developing and expanding its new offensive capabilities.
“The information we have gives us good reason to believe that Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the subsequent deployment of NATO facilities has already been decided and is only a matter of time. We clearly understand that given this scenario, the level of military threats to Russia will increase dramatically, several times over. And I would like to emphasize at this point that the risk of a sudden strike at our country will multiply.
