Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of provoking an arms race by increasing its military presence near Russia's borders.
According to a report by The Moscow Times, the remarks came during the launch of week-long strategic naval exercises involving hundreds of Russian warships, submarines, and support vessels across various seas and oceans,
The naval exercises, dubbed Ocean-2024, are set to take place from September 10 to September 16, 2024, spanning the Pacific and Arctic oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic seas.
Putin emphasized that these exercises are designed to strengthen military cooperation with friendly states and prepare for potential military aggression.
Putin specifically pointed to the increased US military presence near Russia's western borders, in the Arctic, and in the Asia-Pacific region. He claimed that this buildup is occurring under the pretext of countering alleged Russian threats and deterring China.
The Russian leader expressed concern that these actions by the United States could disrupt the established security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region. He argued that such moves create conditions for a potentially dangerous crisis situation.
Putin stated:
In fact, the U.S. is provoking an arms race, regardless of the security of its European and Asian allies, and creating a prerequisite for a dangerous crisis situation. Russia must be ready for any scenario, and our armed forces must ensure the reliable protection of Russia’s sovereignty and national interests.
The accusations come in the wake of recent US military activities in Asia. US Army officials have expressed interest in deploying Typhoon missile systems to Japan for joint military exercises. This follows a similar deployment of midrange missile systems for joint exercises in the northern Philippines in April.
These deployments have raised concerns in Moscow about the expanding US military footprint in the region. The Russian government views these actions as potentially destabilizing and threatening to regional security.
The Ocean-2024 naval exercises, which serve as the backdrop for Putin's remarks, involve collaboration with the Chinese navy in the Sea of Japan. These extensive drills showcase Russia's naval capabilities and its strategic partnerships in the region.
Putin described the exercises as an opportunity to "expand cooperation with the naval forces of partner countries" and to demonstrate Russia's ability to "repel possible military aggression in all areas, including in the ocean and the sea."
The scale of these exercises, involving hundreds of vessels across multiple bodies of water, underscores the significance Russia places on maintaining a strong naval presence and fostering military alliances.
Putin's accusations of the US provoking an arms race come amid ongoing strategic naval exercises involving Russia and China. The Russian leader emphasized the need for his country to be prepared for any scenario, citing increased US military presence near Russian borders. These developments underscore the growing tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly in the realm of military deployments and nuclear capabilities.
