Russia must return to assess nuclear potential of NATO members: Putin

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Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Sunday that Russia must take into consideration the nuclear capabilities of the UK and France due to NATO's misleading appearance as a military bloc rather than a political alliance.  

"After all, at one time we moved not to take them into account, bearing in mind both detente and the fact that NATO declared itself an almost demilitarized organization," Putin told reporters.

"They claimed NATO was a political organization rather than a military bloc. […] But we see what is happening. Therefore, we are simply forced to return to the discussion of this topic from the center of the field," he added, noting that Russia must consider not only the nuclear potential of the US, but also those of all NATO members as well. 

Putin further stated that Russia is not opposed to NATO's inclusion in talks on the New START treaty, noting that "They [NATO] are not formally a party to this treaty; there are two parties to it: Russia and the United States."

"NATO made a statement on the matter and at the same time it submitted an application for some kind of discussion on the issue. Well, if this is so, we do not mind, let them take part in this discussion," Putin said.

Read more: Russia not 'leaving' New START 'important', ex-Pentagon advisor says

He further recalled his decision to suspend the New START treaty after Washington issued an intolerable 'ultimatum' to Russia which required Moscow to comply with the document's requirements and allow the increase of nuclear inspections in Russia's nuclear and defense facilities.

The Treaty kept the two countries' nuclear arsenals at a much lower level than during the Cold War, as it set the number of installed strategic nuclear launchers at 700 and the number of nuclear warheads at 1,550.

Putin talks about the participation of the US and NATO in the war with Russia and about START. https://t.co/3H8l857crt pic.twitter.com/waFJWItU3O

— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) February 26, 2023

On matters pertaining to US military inspections of Russia's nuclear facilities, Putin said he could never imagine this happening in real life, and that NATO members are all accomplices in supporting Ukraine's crimes, which include the shelling of civilian residences in the Donbass. 
 
"When they are doing so in Ukraine, I just can't imagine American servicemen hanging out at our nuclear facilities. It's just ridiculous," Putin said.

The Russian head of state further highlighted that Russia should not be concerned about how the US should understand Russia's suspension from the New START treaty, noting that "it’s up to them what to understand, and what not to understand, we can’t get into their heads. We understand what we need to do. And we need to preserve our country, as well as ensure security and strategic stability."

As for Western plans to break up Russia, Putin said "If we follow this path, I think that the fate of many peoples of Russia, and above all, Russian people, can change dramatically. I don’t even know if such an ethnic group as the Russian people can survive in their current form," he said, adding that the Western plan is "written on a piece of paper."

Read more: Russia to boost production, deliveries of hypersonic missiles: Putin