The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister warned of a long war.
(Photo: Reuters)
Geneva He belongs to the innermost circle of leaders of the Foreign Ministry in Moscow and his word carries weight beyond Russia’s borders: Sergei Ryabkov. On Thursday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister appeared at the United Nations in Geneva to spread his messages about the war of aggression against Ukraine and nuclear arms control.
The foreign policy expert repeatedly referred to his top boss, Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the one hand, Putin’s man was unyielding, on the other hand he showed willingness to enter into a dialogue with the USA about strategic nuclear armaments. Above all, he warns – and chooses drastic words.
Before the International Disarmament Conference under the umbrella of the UN, he sharply criticized the Western military alliance NATO with the leading country USA: “Their increasing involvement in an armed confrontation harbors the danger of a direct military clash between the nuclear powers with catastrophic consequences.”
The Disarmament Conference offers the only permanent international forum for the elimination of weapons systems. Since the attack on Ukraine began more than a year ago, Western countries and UN Secretary-General António Guterres have warned the Russian leadership to refrain from threats to use nuclear weapons.
After his speech, at a press conference in the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN, Ryabkov directly denounced Western deliveries of main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 from German production or possible transfers of military jets to Ukraine: Russia fears that the transfer of heavy weapons will increase the number of tanks Risk of clash with western alliance.
This development is “really dangerous”. Ryabkov also left no doubt about the will of the Putin regime to wage a long war in Ukraine: “Our determination is unshakable.”
NATO countries urge Russia to return to New Start
On the other hand, Ryabkov signaled a readiness for dialogue with the US on the bilateral New Start agreement on limiting strategic nuclear weapons potential, which Putin suspended in February. Russia will keep communication channels open with the US via New Start. “We are open to discussion on all points.”
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In addition, the man from Moscow confirmed that his government would adhere to the numerical New Start upper limits for nuclear warheads and delivery systems. NATO governments have been asking the Russians for days to fully return to the agreement.
The suspension of New Start follows Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons to achieve his goals in the aggressive war against Ukraine. The 2011 accord is the only remaining bilateral nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia and expires in 2026.
At its core, New Start limits the strategic nuclear weapons potential of the opponents to 1,550 nuclear warheads each and a total of 800 delivery systems such as ICBMs. New Start also allows mutual on-site inspections.
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