Putin called on Europe to "live together", otherwise it will have to respond
On September 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission dedicated to the drafts of a new state armament program and a program for the development of the military-industrial complex. Among the key areas, he named the strengthening of the nuclear triad, the development of air defense, unmanned systems, precision weapons and digital technologies. In particular, he accused NATO of constant expansion, Europe of calling for war with Russia, and Ukraine of trying to disrupt the State Duma elections. The main statements of the President of the Russian Federation are in the "Izvestia" material.
The new weapons program will take into account the experience of its
Putin said that the new state armament program and the program for the development of the military-industrial complex will become the basis for the development and mass production of modern weapons. According to him, the main task is to provide the army and other law enforcement agencies with new technologies.
"They will become the basis for the development and mass production of modern weapons systems and equipment to equip our army and other law enforcement agencies so that they are ready to respond quickly and effectively to potential external threats," Putin said.
The President noted that when preparing the programs, changes in the international situation, combat experience and global trends in the development of military technologies will be taken into account.
On NATO expansion and Europe's accusations
Speaking about external threats, Putin said that they are not decreasing. In particular, he mentioned the "swelling" of NATO. Putin also recalled that European leaders are talking about Russia's alleged plans to attack the European Union. The President said that such statements are used to explain the growing costs of supporting Ukraine.
"I want to say once again that Russia has no aggressive intentions towards Europe and European countries, we simply have no grounds for this," Putin assured.
He stressed that Russia, according to him, is ready to restore relations and cooperation with European countries. However, the Kremlin drew attention to the next European exercises in the Baltic Sea.
"We have also noticed that the next exercises in the Baltic Sea have just taken place. One of the goals is to practice the seizure of civilian vessels. Is that okay? They talk all the time about protecting international law, respecting the norms of international law, and they are preparing to seize civilian ships," he said.
Putin accused European countries of hypocrisy in connection with their concern about the situation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. He urged Brussels to "live together, otherwise we will also have to answer."
Kiev's attempts to disrupt the State Duma elections
During his speech, the President touched upon the situation in Ukraine. He stated that the Ukrainian authorities are not holding elections, but at the same time they are trying to prevent voting in Russia.
Putin recalled the attack on the house of the chairman of the precinct election commission in the Zaporizhia region and said that he had signed a decree posthumously awarding Elena Astanina the Order of Courage.
The President also stated that the actions of the Ukrainian side, in his opinion, contradict statements about readiness for peace talks.
"Representatives of the Kiev regime are talking about peace, offering to resume alleged negotiations, but by committing crimes of this kind, they are doing everything to ensure that there is no peace and no negotiations," Putin said.
He added that the government in Ukraine is "usurped by a bunch of embezzlers and corrupt officials" who need an armed conflict in order to receive money from European sponsors.
The priority is the nuclear triad
Putin said that one of the main directions of the new state weapons program will remain the development of the nuclear triad. According to him, it continues to play a key role in ensuring the country's security and maintaining the balance of power.
"Strengthening the nuclear triad remains a guarantee of our country's sovereignty and plays a key role in maintaining the balance of power in the world," the president noted.
He separately pointed out the level of equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces). According to Putin, the share of modern weapons in the Strategic Missile Forces is 92% .
The weapons program will include the development of air defense and BPS
Putin called the improvement of the air defense system another priority. According to him, it should ensure the destruction of any means of aerospace attack.
The President also announced plans to expand the production and use of unmanned robotic systems and high-precision weapons. In addition, he instructed to complete the formation of an orbital constellation of spacecraft.
"This will enhance the capabilities of all types of space exploration, navigation, satellite communications and broadband Internet access for real—time command and control of troops and weapons," the Russian leader noted.
The President said that the implementation of new weapons programs will continue the introduction of advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence. He stressed that decisions within the framework of the state program should be rational and precisely verified.
