Russia will not retreat over 'Ukraine issue' under any circumstances

Moscow/Washington – Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning that Russia will not retreat under any circumstances from the standoff with the United States over Ukraine. Putin also warned, ‘If the aggressive line of our Western colleagues continues, we will take adequate military-technical response measures and react harshly to unfriendly steps.’ Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia is well poised to retaliate if provoked on the military and technology front. While such warnings are being received from the Russian leadership, the US State Department announced that they would be discussing the Russian proposal for a security agreement with the European Union.

Only last week, Russia proposed to sign a security pact with the western countries. This included proposals like limitations on the NATO memberships, withdrawal of the military from east and central Europe, and stopping military exercises near the Russian border. The proposal from Russia was not well received by NATO, European countries, and Ukraine. It appears that the United States had adopted a cautious stand while Russia has taken an aggressive posture on this issue. President Putin has been consistently issuing statements on the brewing situation and has indicated that Russia is prepared for war.

The statement made by President Putin during a meeting with the military officials also is part of the same stand. President Putin asked, ‘What the U.S. is doing in Ukraine is at our doorstep… And they should understand that we have nowhere further to retreat to. Do they think we’ll just watch idly?’ President Putin warned that if the western countries continue with their aggressive actions, Russia is prepared to retaliate on the military level. As per available information, President Putin held talks with the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, following these statements.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, made a statement endorsing President Putin warning to western countries. He emphasised that Russia does not intend the path of conflict, but Russia can retaliate if provoked. The Russian Foreign Minister also said that the decision lies in the hands of the western countries. Meanwhile, it is reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.