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Russia Intends
Responding |
| By
Stephen Lendman |
| Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International
Economic Forum on Thursday, Putin’s comments were refreshingly frank and
straightforward like all his remarks - whether prepared in advance on in
answering questions. US-dominated NATO’s military buildup concerns him and other Russian officials greatly, Putin saying: Alliance “bases are moving closer to our western borders and the infrastructure is moving closer, incidents are increasing and do we have simply to sit weak-willed and look at this?” “No, this will not be the case and we are responding accordingly. The same is taking place in the East” - referring mainly provocative US-installed THAAD missiles in South Korea Russia and China strongly oppose, along with Pentagon warships patrolling in parts of the South China Sea where they don’t belong. Two US aircraft carrier strike groups are currently moving toward Russia’s far east border, a third one on its way. In response to three North Korea ballistic missile tests in May, two US carrier groups and Japanese warships are conducting provocative military exercises in the Sea of Japan - actions Pyongyang believes are preparations for an attack on its country, making it more determined to develop and deploy an effective deterrent, what every threatened country would do. A Japanese military spokesman said current exercises are the first joint ones with two US carrier strike groups. American warships participating in provocative East Asia military exercises come and go, Putin explained. US hostility toward Russia, the buildup of NATO forces near its borders, along with missile defense systems intended for offense “undermin(e) the strategic balance in the world,” he stressed. “This is a challenge for us,” he added. Russia intends responding appropriately. US-dominated NATO threatens world peace and stability, not Moscow, Beijing or Pyongyang. If the DPRK abandoned its nuclear and ballistic missile programs straightaway, the threat of US belligerence would remain. “I am the only one…talking about it,” Putin said. Other world leaders are “silent, as if no one (else) understands what it is all about.” Of course they know, so why aren’t they outspoken? Why aren’t Western media explaining the threat? They’re silent about a US-instigated arms race, a huge planned Trump administration nuclear weapons buildup. Enough already exist to transform planet earth to smoldering rubble, extinguishing human and all other life. Russia can’t ignore the threat to its security. Putin intends “beef(ing) up (its) systems to counter the ABM system…another turn in the arms race,” he explained. Before concluding the JCPOA Iran nuclear deal, Washington claimed its so-called missile defense in Europe (intended solely for offense) was installed to counter a (nonexistent) Iranian threat. US missile systems continue “build(ing) up…at a rapid pace, Putin explained. “Against whom,” he asked when no threats exist? Will Russia worsen relations with America? Of course not. Putin’s concern is out-of-control Russophobia in Washington and other Western capitals. Where this is going “is anyone’s guess,” he said. “This does not depend on us. We are not the ones initiat(ing)” trouble. US hostility toward Russia can’t go unanswered. Whenever he addresses foreign reporters he’s asked about nonexistent Russian US election hacking - of course denying what didn’t occur, this time saying: “(N)o hackers can influence a foreign election campaign in a significant way. No information leaked this way would resonate with the voters and affect the outcome.” “We don’t do this at a state level, have no intention of doing it, and on the contrary, we are fighting against it.” Don’t expect false accusations to abate as long as lunatics infesting Washington and media scoundrels want Russia and Trump bashed endlessly. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |