According to the president, Western countries are "strategic opponents" of the Russian FederationOn December 21, a meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Defense was held, at which Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke.
Putin called Western countries "strategic opponents" of the Russian Federation, which have been striving for its weakening and disintegration for centuries. Shoigu suggested conscripting Russians into the army from the age of 21 to the age of 30. The most striking comments of the world press are in the TASS collection.The Washington Post:
"Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the Defense Ministry in Moscow covering a wide range of issues at a time when Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was heading to the United States. He said that the Russian army learns from its failures on the battlefield, and also promised to modernize and strengthen the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation <...>. He also called on representatives of the Ministry of Defense to respond better to public criticism. <...> Putin sharply criticized the West for shunning Russia after the collapse of the USSR and not allowing it to join to the "civilized world".
CNN: "Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu have come up with a number of initiatives designed to prepare Russia for what Putin called "inevitable clashes" with Russia's opponents. Both made it clear that Russia's main rival is the expansionist, in their words, the North Atlantic Alliance, which wants to weaken and even split Russia."
The New York Times: "President Vladimir Putin tried to demonstrate to the whole world that he was not going to give up in a military operation against Ukraine <...>. This was his next attempt to convince the West, Ukraine and his people that <...>...> Russia will continue to fight and overcome difficulties. His speech coincided with the visit of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to Washington <...>. The Kremlin adheres to its line: any supply of Western weapons to Ukraine serves to prolong the war."
Associated Press: "Russian President Vladimir Putin described the fighting in Ukraine as a "tragedy," but promised to continue the campaign until the goals were achieved. At the same time, his Defense Minister announced plans to increase the number of Russian Armed Forces to 1.5 million people. <...> The Russian leader once again accused the West of provoking the conflict in Ukraine as part of a century-long effort to weaken and destroy Russia. Ukraine and its Western allies reject such rhetoric."
Sky News: "We will provide you with everything you need. In short, this is what Vladimir Putin promised his troops. He heard criticism regarding the supply of troops: according to him, it is sometimes justified, and sometimes "emotional". <...> The ongoing military operation has shown that the Russian armed Forces are not sufficiently high-tech <...>. Sanctions aggravate the situation in the field of defense, even if Russia knows how to find workarounds. It's one thing to say that you will have everything that money can buy. Another thing is to deliver everything you need. But it shows that he [Putin] is not going to give up."
Les Echos: "Nothing will stop Russia in Ukraine. Putin promised the necessary funding to achieve the goals of the special operation. While Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky went to Washington for additional support, the Russian leader demonstrated an unwavering determination to continue his special operation in Ukraine. Speaking to military leaders at a meeting convened to clarify the tasks of the Russian army for 2023, Putin reiterated that the conflict is not limited to Ukraine, but represents a confrontation with NATO countries. As Putin said, this is not the result of Russian policy, but the result of the policies of other countries. As promised by the Russian president, after 300 days of conflict, everything will be done to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. We are talking about additional troops, strengthening naval bases, equipping the army with supersonic missiles, as well as maintaining the nuclear triad. To support the army, the government has provided for a 43% increase in the defense budget next year."
DPA: "In an address to the military leadership, Vladimir Putin said that he was convinced that Russia would win <...>. The President called for a faster renewal and modernization of the Armed Forces. As an example, he cited the use of drones. Until now, this was considered a weak point of the Russian Armed Forces. According to Putin, drones should be available at all levels of combat operations."
Frankfurter Rundschau: "Putin said that there are no financial restrictions on equipment and equipment from the state. However, at the same time, he admitted that the partial mobilization, which he ordered to be carried out in September, did not go smoothly and that problems were identified in the Armed Forces."
ANSA: "Russia will continue to increase the combat readiness of its nuclear forces, President Vladimir Putin said, setting out military goals for 2023. According to him, Moscow will deploy the Sarmat ICBM in the near future. Sarmat is considered the flagship of Russia's new military programs. This statement came just a few hours after the expected statement by US President Joe Biden that Washington gave the green light to send Patriot missiles to Kiev."
Kyodo: "Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the authorities will ensure the safety of all residents of the country, meaning four regions in the east and south of Ukraine. Thus, he demonstrated that he is not considering the option of a ceasefire and the start of negotiations with the Ukrainian side."
NHK: "During his speech, Putin said that the Sarmat ICBMs, capable of carrying nuclear charges, will be on combat duty for the first time in the near future. Probably, he thereby tried to send a deterrent signal to the United States and NATO, which are providing military assistance to the Ukrainian authorities."
