04:10Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday that if the West got its wish for a 'strategic defeat of Russia', it could mean the 'end of its statehood', during a press briefing on Thursday following his visits to the DPRK and Vietnam.
"[Western countries] are always, as you said, raising the temperature, escalating the situation. They expect us to be frightened at some point. But at the same time, they say that they want to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia on the battlefield. What does this mean for Russia? For Russia, it means the end of its statehood."
"That's what it means," he continued. "It means the end of the thousand-year history of the Russian state. I think this is clear to everyone. And then the question arises - why should we be afraid? Wouldn't it be better to go all the way?" Putin stated.
Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un signed a 'mutual defence' treaty in Pyongyang during their talks, which involved providing assistance to each other in the case of 'aggression' against either.
He was asked if the use of Western long-range weapons by Kiev and the ongoing shelling of the Belgorod region constituted 'aggression'.
"It requires further research, but it's close to that. We're analysing it," he said. The Belgorod region has faced intensive shelling since the end of May 2023, adding to the tensions and hostilities in the region.
The Russian president also warned that the NATO alliance was 'moving' into Asia.
"The situation in the world is developing in such a way that it requires strengthening the legal and regulatory framework with our partners, especially in those areas that we consider important, including taking into account what is happening in Asia," he outlined. "And we see what is happening in Asia, don't we? The bloc system is taking shape in Asia. NATO is already moving there as a permanent residence. And this, of course, poses threats to all countries in the region, including the Russian Federation."
On Thursday, the US State Department repeated allegations that the DPRK was supplying Russian with ammunition, saying it was "one of the reasons why we have been prioritising strengthening our ties with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific throughout this administration". Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied conducting arms deals.
'Why should we be afraid?' - Putin says Western calls for strategic defeat of Russia mean 'end of its statehood'
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday that if the West got its wish for a 'strategic defeat of Russia', it could mean the 'end of its statehood', during a press briefing on Thursday following his visits to the DPRK and Vietnam.
"[Western countries] are always, as you said, raising the temperature, escalating the situation. They expect us to be frightened at some point. But at the same time, they say that they want to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia on the battlefield. What does this mean for Russia? For Russia, it means the end of its statehood."
"That's what it means," he continued. "It means the end of the thousand-year history of the Russian state. I think this is clear to everyone. And then the question arises - why should we be afraid? Wouldn't it be better to go all the way?" Putin stated.
Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un signed a 'mutual defence' treaty in Pyongyang during their talks, which involved providing assistance to each other in the case of 'aggression' against either.
He was asked if the use of Western long-range weapons by Kiev and the ongoing shelling of the Belgorod region constituted 'aggression'.
"It requires further research, but it's close to that. We're analysing it," he said. The Belgorod region has faced intensive shelling since the end of May 2023, adding to the tensions and hostilities in the region.
The Russian president also warned that the NATO alliance was 'moving' into Asia.
"The situation in the world is developing in such a way that it requires strengthening the legal and regulatory framework with our partners, especially in those areas that we consider important, including taking into account what is happening in Asia," he outlined. "And we see what is happening in Asia, don't we? The bloc system is taking shape in Asia. NATO is already moving there as a permanent residence. And this, of course, poses threats to all countries in the region, including the Russian Federation."
On Thursday, the US State Department repeated allegations that the DPRK was supplying Russian with ammunition, saying it was "one of the reasons why we have been prioritising strengthening our ties with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific throughout this administration". Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied conducting arms deals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday that if the West got its wish for a 'strategic defeat of Russia', it could mean the 'end of its statehood', during a press briefing on Thursday following his visits to the DPRK and Vietnam.
"[Western countries] are always, as you said, raising the temperature, escalating the situation. They expect us to be frightened at some point. But at the same time, they say that they want to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia on the battlefield. What does this mean for Russia? For Russia, it means the end of its statehood."
"That's what it means," he continued. "It means the end of the thousand-year history of the Russian state. I think this is clear to everyone. And then the question arises - why should we be afraid? Wouldn't it be better to go all the way?" Putin stated.
Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un signed a 'mutual defence' treaty in Pyongyang during their talks, which involved providing assistance to each other in the case of 'aggression' against either.
He was asked if the use of Western long-range weapons by Kiev and the ongoing shelling of the Belgorod region constituted 'aggression'.
"It requires further research, but it's close to that. We're analysing it," he said. The Belgorod region has faced intensive shelling since the end of May 2023, adding to the tensions and hostilities in the region.
The Russian president also warned that the NATO alliance was 'moving' into Asia.
"The situation in the world is developing in such a way that it requires strengthening the legal and regulatory framework with our partners, especially in those areas that we consider important, including taking into account what is happening in Asia," he outlined. "And we see what is happening in Asia, don't we? The bloc system is taking shape in Asia. NATO is already moving there as a permanent residence. And this, of course, poses threats to all countries in the region, including the Russian Federation."
On Thursday, the US State Department repeated allegations that the DPRK was supplying Russian with ammunition, saying it was "one of the reasons why we have been prioritising strengthening our ties with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific throughout this administration". Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied conducting arms deals.