Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova has issued a statement asserting that Moscow currently sees no real interest from Washington to engage in dialogue on strategic stability and arms control.
As for paving the way for Russia-US dialogue on strategic stability and arms control, Zakharova stated that it is crucial for Washington to “abandon – not in words, but in practice – its insane policy of trying to undermine our national security, maintaining confrontation with Russia and inflicting ‘a strategic defeat’ on our country, as well as its defiant disregard for Russia’s interests.”
The diplomat added that any potential discussions on the issue must be comprehensive, focusing on resolving key security issues such as “NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion.”
She also made reference to statements by Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance Mallory Stewart, who reportedly said that Russia linked the resumption of arms control dialogue with the need for the US to end its support for Ukraine.
“Such an interpretation of Russia’s positions appears to be at minimum oversimplified and one-sided. It’s more than just about Ukraine,” Zakharova averred.
“First of all, Stewart tried to shift the responsibility for the collapse of the arms control system to Russia.
“However, when she was reminded of the US’ withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, she immediately changed her tune, claiming that such accusations would lead nowhere, so they’re better put aside.”
Maria Zakharova
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman claimed that it was the US that pulled out of the Open Skies Treaty and refused to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
In addition, she said that Washington and its NATO allies sought to use the post-Soviet space for their own political and military purposes at the expense of Russia’s core security interests.
“And when they faced resistance, they unleashed a hybrid war, seeking to inflict ‘a strategic defeat’ on our country on the battlefield,” Zakharova emphasized.
She warned that such actions might lead to a direct clash between nuclear powers.
Russia Commences Third Round Of Tactical Nuclear Drills
Meanwhile, the Russian military on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, began a third round of drills with tactical nuclear weapons, part of the Kremlin’s messaging intended to force the West to limit its support for Ukraine.
The previous two rounds of the maneuvers were held in May and June. The drills in June were conducted jointly with the armed forces of Russia’s ally Belarus.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the drills will feature units of the central and southern military districts armed with Iskander short-range missiles.
They will practice receiving nuclear weapons from storage and deploying them to designated launch areas.
The maneuvers will also include air force units that will arm their warplanes with nuclear weapons and perform patrol flights.
The ministry said the drills are intended to maintain troops’ readiness for combat missions.
Tactical nuclear weapons include bombs, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions and are meant for use on a battlefield.
They are typically far less powerful than strategic weapons — massive warheads that arm intercontinental ballistic missiles and are intended to obliterate entire cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his officials have repeatedly reminded the West about the country’s nuclear might in a bid to discourage NATO allies from ramping up their support for Kyiv.
The Kremlin described the drills with tactical nuclear weapons as part of Moscow’s response to statements by NATO allies encouraging strikes on Russian territory with Western weapons and the possible deployment of Western troops to Ukraine.
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