Key Takeaways:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will stop informing Washington on planned nuclear missile tests
- Moscow has threatened to "destroy the US" should it pose a threat to its sovereignty
- Russia has also deployed mobile rocket launchers in Siberia
YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, will stop sharing information on his country’s missile tests, including data on nuclear-related activity, with the United States. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced Kremlin’s latest decision earlier today. Indicating the growing rift between Washington and Moscow, another Russian official threatened to “destroy the US” in case it poses a threat to its security.
Amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Russian military deployed mobile launchers in Siberia. The move is largely seen as muscle-flexing by President Vladimir Putin as he faces the condemnation and sanctions of the US-led collective West.
According to the senior Russian diplomat, Moscow has now decided to walk away from another mutually-agreed pact. Last month, Putin declared that Russia was pulling out of the New START pact. That was the last nuclear arms reduction treaty Russia had with the US.
Despite the pullout, the country’s Foreign Ministry has announced that Moscow would keep notifying the US about planned ballistic missile test launches. But now, Putin seems to have had a change of heart.
“There will be no notifications at all… All notifications, all kinds of notifications, all activities under the treaty. will be suspended and will not be conducted regardless of what position the US may take,”
Ryabkov announced.
It has been common practice for both sides to share data not only about each other’s nuclear forces but also about planned tests. This helped create a safe environment for testing as the other side wouldn’t mistake the test for a nuclear attack.
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Vladimir Putin wants the United States to stop helping Ukraine
The latest announcement coming from Moscow is yet another attempt to discourage Washington from helping Ukraine. The US, along with its partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), had constantly supplied Kyiv with essential weapons and ammunition to defend itself. Because of the unexpected support, the Russian forces suffered heavy losses in the campaign.
Moreover, Putin had expected to complete what he called a “Special Military Operation” within days. However, thanks to the involvement of the collective West, Ukraine continues to defend itself for longer than a year since the war began.
With Russian Yars mobile missile launchers set to maneuver across three regions of Siberia, Moscow is making bold announcements.
“Now they will have to deal with changing realities. We hope that NATO officials will adequately assess the seriousness of the situation,”
Ryabkov added to his announcement.
Russia claims it can destroy the United States
The recent announcement also comes just days after Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. Ukraine fears Belarus, and its long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko might open a new front for Kyiv by joining the war on the side of the Russians.
However, Russia’s appetite has grown. Not only is it determined to conquer Ukraine, but it now makes open threats to the United States and its allies.
Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, sent a chilling warning to Washington. According to him, some US politicians, suffering from “very dangerous, short-sighted stupidity”, think they can prevent them from achieving their objective in Ukraine.
“Russia is patient and isn’t trying to scare anyone with its military superiority, but it has unique modern weapons capable of destroying any adversary, including the United States, in case of a threat to its existence,”
Patrushev said.
The threat coming from Patrushev is significant. Vladimir Putin personally chairs the country’s Security Council. In essence, the Russian President is declaring that he is not going to back out, regardless of the pressure coming from the Biden Administration.
