Putin warned: This would be a completely different war
Russian President Putin made assessments on the Russia-Ukraine war and Russia-China relations on the state-run Rossiya channel.
Speaking about Ukraine’s “counterattack,” Putin stated: “The counterattack, which remained stagnant, was not successful at all. We know that in some conflict zones the other side is still preparing active offensive operations. “We see that and react accordingly.” he said.
“WE ARE IN ACTIVE DEFENSE”
Highlighting that what is currently happening along the line of contact is called “active defense”, Putin stated that Russian military units have improved their positions throughout this area. Putin noted that this zone is quite wide and noted that this also applies to Kupyansk, Zaporizhia and Avdeyevka.
“UNITED STATES, NOT RUSSIA, IS MAKING MILITARY ALLIANCES”
Making statements about the claim that Russia and China have once again formed a military bloc, Putin stated that the West is constantly creating “Axis” (States). Putin: “We have said it many times. We do not join in such a military and political alliance. The Americans are doing this. In addition, they are forcing their allies to worsen relations with Russia and China.” he said.
Emphasizing that China did not start a fight with the West and that the United States chose this path and attracted Europe there, Putin said that Europe does not want to fight with China and the volume of trade between them is constantly increasing.
Putin noted that Western countries, not them, constantly form military and political blocs like AUKUS.
“THE WAR BETWEEN NUCLEAR POWERS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY”
Commenting on the proposal by the US Congress in Washington and its allies to prepare for a simultaneous war with Russia and China, including the possibility of considering the option of a nuclear conflict, Putin said:
*I don’t think these are healthy thoughts that come to the minds of healthy people. So to say that the United States is preparing for war with Russia… We are all preparing for war, because we follow the famous ancient principle: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’ But we start from the fact that we want peace. But if they want to fight with Russia, this will be a completely different war, it will not be a special military operation.
* Look at the Middle East, are there special military operations there? Is it really comparable? If we talk about war between major nuclear powers, the story is completely different. I don’t think this idea should or can come to the minds of people with common sense. But if it comes, it will only make us cautious.
Describing the possibility of war with both Russia and China as “nonsense”, Putin added that he did not believe this was all serious and that it was mentioned to scare someone. (AA)