Putin: "No Place to Retreat in Ukraine... Will Take Military Measures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] President Vladimir Putin strongly warned that Russia has no place to retreat regarding the Ukraine border dispute and that it will take military countermeasures against the aggressive moves of Western countries. This is interpreted as indicating not only a possible invasion of Ukraine but also military measures such as the redeployment of nuclear forces across Europe.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 21st (local time), President Putin said at a meeting with senior military officials, "What the United States is doing in Ukraine is happening in our own backyard," and "They must remember that we have no more room to retreat." He continued, "If the aggressive moves of Western countries continue, we will take appropriate military countermeasures," he warned.

This warning is interpreted as not only a possibility of invading Ukraine but also a warning that nuclear force redeployment aimed at Europe is possible. Earlier, on the previous day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov hinted at the possibility of redeploying nuclear forces by stating at a press conference, "We can redeploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles to Europe, including Belarus, in response to NATO."

Additionally, President Putin claimed that the installation of the U.S. missile defense system (MD) in Eastern Europe threatens Russia. He pointed out, "We are deeply concerned about the deployment of the U.S. global missile defense (MD) system near Russia," adding, "The MK-41, which has already been deployed in Romania and is scheduled to be deployed in Poland, has been modified to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles." He emphasized, "If these launchers move further east and U.S. and NATO missile systems appear in Ukraine, the flight time of these missiles to Moscow will be reduced to 7 to 10 minutes, and if hypersonic missiles are deployed, it will be reduced to 5 minutes."

Regarding President Putin's hardline remarks, the U.S. and NATO emphasized diplomatic solutions, stating they are ready for dialogue with Russia. On the same day, Karen Donfried, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said at a press conference, "We believe bilateral talks with Russia will take place next month," adding, "The specific date will be coordinated with the Russian side."

NATO announced it will hold the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), which had been suspended for three years since 2019, early next year. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference, "We are ready to talk with Russia and will convene the council as soon as possible in the new year." The NATO-Russia Council is a dialogue channel created in 2002 to facilitate consultations between NATO and Russia, but it has not been held since July 2019 due to deteriorating bilateral relations.