Vladimir Putin accuses Australia of joining military ‘axis’ as part of ‘global NATO’

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In a televised remark, Putin suggested that Russia’s growing ties with Beijing in areas such as energy and finance meant that Russia had become overly dependent on China. He scoffed, saying these were the views of “jealous people”.

“For decades, many have wanted China to turn against the Soviet Union and Russia and vice versa,” he said. “We understand the world we live in. We really value our mutual relationships and the level they have reached in recent years.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg visited Japan and South Korea earlier this year, stressing the importance of an Atlantic alliance working closely with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. He also spoke of rising tensions between the West and China and urged increased military support for Ukraine.

Putin has portrayed Russia’s actions in Ukraine as defensive resistance against aggressive hostile Western powers. Similar to the Battle of Moscow against the invasion of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Kiev and its Western allies have dismissed such proposals as absurd, saying Moscow seeks to undermine Ukraine’s ability to seize territory and function as an independent state.

Ukraine says peace talks cannot take place until all Russian forces have withdrawn from its territory. Russia says Ukraine must accept the loss of swaths of territory Russia claims it has annexed.

Putin’s comments came the next day He announced that Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarusin a clear warning to NATO about military support for Ukraine.

In response, NATO has accused Vladimir Putin of one of Russia’s most overt nuclear signals since it launched its invasion of Ukraine 13 months ago, and Ukraine has been forced to attend a UN Security Council meeting. called.

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“Russia’s nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible,” NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said on Sunday.

“NATO is vigilant and is monitoring the situation closely.

While Washington downplayed concerns over Putin’s announcement, NATO said it was irrelevant to compare the Russian president’s move to keep weapons in Europe with the United States.

“Russia’s reference to NATO nuclear sharing is completely misleading. NATO allies act in full respect of their international commitments,” Lungescu said. “Russia has consistently broken its arms control promises.”

Oleksiy Danilov, chief security adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Russia’s plans would destabilize Belarus.

Lithuania said on Sunday it would call for new sanctions against Moscow and Minsk in response to Russia’s plans.

Reuters

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