- Title: Russia to strengthen nuclear forces - Putin
- Date: 24th December 2019
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 24, 2019) (RUSSIAN POOL) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN GREETING HEAD OF RUSSIA'S MILITARY GENERAL STAFF, VALERY GERASIMOV, WALKING ON STAGE MILITARY OFFICIALS TAKING SEATS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "We are ready to work on new agreements in the arms control sphere, but (CONTINUES IN WIDER SHOT) until this process is launched, we will (CONTINUES OVER TWO SHOTS OF OFFICIALS LISTENING) continue to strengthen our own nuclear forces. I mean the rearmament of strategic missile forces with modern Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle) complexes, (CONTINUES IN SHOT) and Yars (strategic missiles), as well as the rearmament of the nuclear navy with Borei A submarines. And naturally we will continue work on the creation of other new missile systems, capable of providing (CONTINUES IN CLOSER SHOT) guaranteed deterrence against aggression towards Russia or its allies." MILITARY OFFICERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "If we want to be victorious - our equipment must be better than the equipment of other countries. (CONTINUES IN CLOSER SHOT) It is not a game of chess where we can put up with a draw (OVER OFFICIALS LISTENING) sometimes. It is the military organisation of the state. Our equipment must be the best. We can strive for that, we are striving for that in key development areas. And we need to work like that in all areas." MILITARY OFFICERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER, SERGEI SHOIGU, SAYING: "The instruction of the president for the rearmament of the strategic nuclear forces with brand new strike systems is being fulfilled. The modernisation level of the strategic missile forces is over 76 percent, and in the nuclear triad it is 82 percent." SESSION IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS FROM THREE MILITARY UNITS CARRYING UNIT FLAGS APPROACHING PUTIN AT AWARD CEREMONY VARIOUS OF PUTIN ATTACHING DECORATIONS TO FLAG OFFICIALS WATCHING SOLDIER RAISING FLAG RUSSIAN EMBLEM ON FLAG
- Embargoed: 7th January 2020 12:39
- Keywords: INF Ministry of Defence MoD Russai-U.S. Russian President START Shoigu United States Vladimir Putin nuclear
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Defence,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001BBC53D3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russia will continue strengthening its nuclear forces and developing new missiles until new agreements in the arms control sphere are reached, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (December 24).
Among Russia's concerns, Putin named the United States' withdrawal from the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty and the expansion of NATO. Putin was speaking at an annual meeting of Russian Ministry of Defence.
The Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 82% of the country's nuclear arsenal has already been replaced with modernised equipment.
Russia said earlier this month was alarmed after the United States tested a ground-launched ballistic missile that would have been banned under the INF Treaty, the RIA news agency reported.
The United States carried out the test on December 14. Washington formally withdrew from the 1987 INF pact with Russia in August after determining that Moscow was violating the treaty, an accusation the Kremlin has denied.
It was the second test by the United States that would have been prohibited under the INF treaty and took place as the future of another major nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States is under question.
New START, the last remaining major nuclear arms control treaty between the two countries, is due to expire in February 2021 and Moscow has warned there is already not enough time left to negotiate a fully-fledged replacement.
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