Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused NATO of “imperial ambitions”. The military alliance is seeking to assert its “supremacy” through the Ukraine conflict, Putin said in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat on Wednesday. “Ukraine and the well-being of the Ukrainian people are not the goal of the collective West and NATO, but a means of defending their own interests.” Russia has “no problem” with Finland and Sweden’s planned NATO accession, Putin continued, but there will be “tensions”.
“We have no problems with Sweden and Finland as we have with Ukraine.” There are no “territorial differences” between the two countries, the Kremlin boss said. “There is nothing to worry about Finland and Sweden joining NATO. If you want – please.”
However, if there is a threat to Russia, countries should prepare for a response. “They need to get a clear picture of the fact that there were no threats to them before – but if troops are stationed there and infrastructure is being built, we will have to respond in a mirrored manner and create the same threats on the territory.” from where we are threatened,” Putin said. “Everything was good between us, but now there will be some tension – that’s clear, without a doubt, it can’t be without.” The accession of Finland and Sweden was officially launched on Wednesday at the NATO summit.
Putin argued that Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO would be very different from Ukraine’s membership. The claim that Russia fought against Ukraine’s admission to NATO and thereby initiated expansion to include Finland and Sweden is unfounded. The West was trying to make Ukraine an “anti-Russia” from which to destabilize its country and fight against Russian culture, Putin claimed. That does not exist in Finland and Sweden.
Putin not in the mood for a joke
The Kremlin boss was not very happy about the recent jokes at the G7 summit about his shirtless photos. In view of the high temperatures, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked whether coats should be removed or not, adding: “We all need to show that we are stronger than Putin.” had to ride bare-chested, referring to a well-known photo of Putin in such a pose.
“I don’t know how they wanted to undress, above or below the waist. I think it would have been a disgusting sight anyway,” Putin said. For harmony between body and mind you should exercise, do not drink too much alcohol and give up other bad habits, he instructed the heads of state and government leaders of the leading democratic industrial countries.
army defended
The Russian head of state also denied responsibility for the attack on a shopping center in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, which killed 18 people. “Our military is not attacking civilian infrastructure. We are absolutely capable of knowing what is true,” he said.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
