Putin says that ABMs such as America is installing, disable a country's (in this case, Russia's) ability to retaliate against a blitz invasion — something increasingly likely from NATO now as NATO has extended right up to Russia's very borders — and that Russia will not allow this disabling of Russia's retaliatory forces.
He said that "NATO fends us off with vague statements that this is no threat to Russia ... that the whole project began as a preventive measure against Iran's nuclear program. Where is that program now? It doesn't exist. ... We have been saying since the early 2000s that we will have to react somehow to your moves to undermine international security. No one is listening to us."
In other words, he is saying that the West is ignoring Russia's words, and that therefore Russia will, if this continues, respond by eliminating the ABM sites before they become fully operational. To do otherwise than to eliminate any fully operational ABM system on or near Russia's borders would be to leave the Russian people vulnerable to a blitz attack by NATO, and this will not be permitted.
He said: "At the moment the interceptor missiles installed have a range of 500 kilometers, soon this will go up to 1000 kilometers, and worse than that, they can be rearmed with 2400km-range offensive missiles even today, and it can be done by simply switching the software, so that even the Romanians themselves won't know."
In other words: Only the Americans, who have designed and control the ABM system, will be able to know if and when Russia is left totally vulnerable. Not even the Romanians will know; and Putin says, "Russia has 'no choice' but to target Romania" — and later Poland, if they follow through with their plans to do the same.
By implication, Putin is saying that, whereas he doesn't need to strike Romania's site immediately, he'll need to do it soon enough to block the ABM system's upgrade that will leave Russia vulnerable to attack and (because of the fully functional ABM) with no ability on Russia's part to counter-strike.
He is saying: Remove the ABM system, or else we'll have to do it by knocking it out ourselves.
Putin knows that according to the Article Five, "Mutual Defense," provision of the NATO Treaty, any attack against a NATO member, such as Romania, is supposed to elicit an attack by all NATO members against the nation that is attacking. However, Putin is saying that, if NATO is going to be attacking Russia, then it will be without any fully operational ABM system, and (by implication) that Russia's response to any such attack will be a full-scale nuclear attack against all NATO nations, and a nuclear war resulting which will destroy the planet by unleashing all the nuclear weaponry of both sides, NATO and Russia.
Putin is saying that either Romania — and subsequently Poland — will cancel and nullify their cooperation with U.S. President Obama's ABM installation, or else there will be a surgical strike by Russia against such installation(s), even though that would likely produce a nuclear attack against Russia by NATO, and a counter-strike nuclear attack by Russia against NATO.
When Putin said "No one is listening to us" on the other side, the NATO side, Putin meant: I don't want to have to speak by means of a surgical strike to eliminate a NATO ABM system, but that's the way I'll 'speak' if you are deaf to words and to reason and to common decency.
He will not allow the Russian people to become totally vulnerable to a nuclear attack by the United States and its military allies. He is determined that, if NATO attacks Russia, then it will be game-over for the entire world, not only for Russia.
He is saying to Obama and to all of NATO: Please hear and understand my words, and be reasonable, because the results otherwise will be far worse for everyone if you persist in continuing to ignore my words.
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Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They're Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST'S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
Reader Comments
Let's imagine Poland or whoever saying: "We don't like Russian's electromagnetic weaponry (or whatever) which can disable our radars (or whatever) and as a result render our people vulnarable, so to avoid it we have to conduct a surgical strike against a factory or a military base where such weaponry has been produced or stored...It's crazy...
Putin's Crazy.
I guess the Russkies should be putting Nukes in Cuba again & tell the US not to worry it's there in case there's a strike on Russia by Argentina.
Or just stack a few boats around the US for same reason.
From what I gather these moves by the US in Romania & Poland is just Political intimidation & will have bugger all effect in case Russia decides to retaliate by Nuking the USA it self but rest assured the Russians are not interested in a WW3 scenario & not interested in starting one first.
That is whilst they have the security & Military Capacity of a retaliatory strike.
The US know this & it's just fund raising for the MI Complex.
Someone's getting paid well.
If Russias ability to respond is really threatened rest assured the nukes will fly first in self defense.
The US is fully aware of this & I think they will only push to the point of no retaliation by Russia.
Lot's of $$$ to be made here via fear mongering to them selves & the dumb & morally Corrupt EU & NATO countries.
Because you're sane doesn't mean they are.
Personally, I think they're crazy.
And thus, dangerous.
When a man is a habitual liar, he thinks everyone else is a liar too.
Washington is incapable of a single true statement - everything they say is a lie.
When Putin says he is prepared to retaliate, they think he's lying.
He's not.
Firstly the Russians don't give a shit about Poland & you are not a threat to them in any way UNTIL you invited USA Military Power into your Country.
Poland & Romania have allowed & agreed with an UNFRIENDLY FOREIGN power from far far away to build up Aggressive Military Forces right next door to Russia and you expect Russian not to target you.
Now that's Crazy...!!!
Although you have a right to be concerned due to the past actions of the USSR...Russia in NOT the old USSR and is not showing any signs of it ..that is until the corrupt & paid for right wing fear mongering Politicians invited the USA/NATO forces in.
You have a right of self defense & even bringing up your concerns about Russia but POLAND, I repeat, was NOT a target until showing it's true colors in the vile aggressive Military NATO group.
Poland if you like it or not is a member of NATO (which personally I'm against) and has a right to invite any other members of NATO to be stationed in Poland if it wants (which I'm against of course).
It's not Russia to decide who should or shouldn't be invited to Poland just because Russia shares about 200 km border with Poland. If Russia finds the USA agressive military force (which is true by the way), it should target the USA, NOT Poland. Poland doesn't want to attack Russia but has a right to self defence. Threats by Putin to strike ABM installations which requires breaching the Polish border are insane. Period.
To target Russia by what? By defensive missiles?
Firstly they're not paid to listen (or bribed to do so) and secondly, Putin is probably worried that these missiles might malfunction and cause a really big mess in Romania and Poland or some other poor unfortunate country.
so he threatens to stike the installations which actually means attacking Romania and Poland...
so he threatens to strike the installations which actually means attacking Romania and Poland...
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"exactly, and who has put Poland and Romania in this position? Answer: idiot Polish politicians and warmongering psychopaths in Washington/NATO"
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So you agree that Russia has a right to attack Poland and Romania only because they are going to have on their lands defensive, American weapon? Am I right? It doesn't matter that Russia now has OFFENSIVE ballistic missiles in Kaliningrad Oblast targeted at Warsaw?
Are you serious?
You're right, it doesn't matter. Offensive or defensive - Russia has no right to attack Poland or Romania.
Russia still has a chance to stop Poland from installing American weaponry on its land, cause it's of course a stupid idea, but NOT by threats. It should begin to treat Poland as a partner, seriously. Unfortunately by now Putin doesn't seem to be willing to change his attitude. For him Poland is still a kind of subject to look down on - it doesn't help.
What you seem to be missing, or unable to accept, is that the Polish government has either sold its soul to Western interests, or it is being forced to follow Western interests. If Poland does not unilaterally decide to kick the US and its military out of Poland, then Russia has NO CHOICE but to take defensive measures.
You say that Russia should not use threats against Poland. But it is the OTHER WAY AROUND. Poland is threatening Russia by allowing the USA to install missiles aimed at Russia on Polish land!
Russia has spent the last 15 years pleading (that is, 'talking politely', not 'threatening') with all parties to not do it.
"It should begin to treat Poland as a partner, seriously."
Russia acted as if Poland could be treated as such for 15 years. Evidently, Poland cannot.
"Unfortunately by now Putin doesn't seem to be willing to change his attitude."
The man has been saintly towards Poland for 15 years!
"For him Poland is still a kind of subject to look down on - it doesn't help."
Poland, as history shows, will get burned over and over again until it can learn to be civilized.
Ok, let’s imagine that the Polish government decides to kick the US military out of Poland + chooses to stop being a NATO member. Do you think that psychopaths from Washington would politely say: “Ok, we respect your will, dear friends”. Well, I don’t think so. I suppose Poland would become an enemy number one for the US. Would Russia help Poland in such a case?
I’m strongly against the presence of the American military in Poland in any form. It’s hard to say if Polish authorities are total idiots or just forced to follow US’s interests. Anyway I have a feeling that Putin is doing too little to encourage Poland to get onto the bright side of the force so to speak.
If he is a wise man and knows more, it is him who should reach out to Poland’s politicians in one way or another to help them to wake up instead of threatening and building new bases in Belarus. Maybe I’m wrong but I think he wants Poland to catch on too late…
Anyway, I hope that the building of the American base in Radzikowo will come to naught...
Russia acted as if Poland could be treated as such for 15 years. Evidently, Poland cannot.
"Unfortunately by now Putin doesn't seem to be willing to change his attitude."
The man has been saintly towards Poland for 15 years!
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Sorry, Niall, but you don't know what you're are talking about. You know too little about day to day Polish-Russian relations to speak on it.
Maybe. And maybe you're too invested in a 'nationalist' Polish perspective to see what I'm talking about?
The answer is "probably yes, they would try". But if Poland was alone in that position, it would come under serious pressure from the US and EU countries, it might even experience a 'regime change' massive street protests, violence, chaos. That, unfortunately, is the price to pay for believing lies, for believing in 'freedom and democracy' when it is really "control and conquest".
I think the point you are struggling with, Olimpia, is that the deal with the devil was done a long time ago. It is too late now to try to change things. In theory, Poland COULD see sense and change its direction, but there is a high price to pay for leaving the West's exceptional club. Is Poland willing to pay that price, to feel the pain in the interest of the truth and decency and a better world? I don't think so.
It is highly unlikely that there is any chance for any genuinely decent and people-focused politicians to come to power in Poland. So by definition, all of them are corrupted/corruptible. That simple fact tends to suggest there is no bright future for Poland, at least in the short term. In the short term, the picture looks rather bleak. But take heart, the same is true for pretty much all of the rest of the world.
Maybe. And maybe you're too invested in a 'nationalist' Polish perspective to see what I'm talking about?
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Not nationalist, but ultranationalist It's not a case. I have rather Slav mentality and probably more in common with Russia than Poland.
Said gloomy seer, Joe Well, my sources are saying that there are a few scenarios for Poland, bad and good ones. Time alone will tell which one will materialize.The future is open. Anyway, thanks for your time guys. Bye.
Some of these people have a historic right to be fearful & un-trusting but really there is no innocents in European History.
All have committed atrocities at one time or another.
That includes Poles & Romanians.
So this hatred/distrust, racial & religious superiority martyrdom runs deep within the European Psyche.
Creating Bigots & Zealots...
Europe isn't off course the only example just stating.
When people can admit that we're all as bad as each other and are not just victims of others aggression then we will move on as humans.
Until then we can always play the poor victimized us .. how dare they...
And the Politicians & Religious Nuts know which buttons to push.
That is after all...THEIR JOB..to pull the wool over our eyes for their own personal benefit & beliefs
I still hold to the theory that this is all a plan by the elites (including Putin) to divide and rule over us.
It's the perfect scam, it's the 21st Century scam -- stoke the tensions, light small fires of conflict, and the people live in constant fear and anxiety.
Don't forget - people with anxiety buy more useless stuff - this is what the corporations and their owners want.
People in fear for their lives give up liberties for temporary security - this is what the governments and their owners want.
As I've said enough times that you're probably sick of hearing, it's called the New WORLD Order.
The elite will not destroy their own world. They want to continue stealing as much as possible from us. If the world is destroyed, there will be nothing left to steal.
Anyone following the last 100 years of world history objectively, KNOWS that ANY country is totally mad to even entertain NATO, UN or so-called 'allied troops'. Unless the leaders of these countries are complicit (which they must be) then who in their right mind lets the fox into the chicken coop???
What their populations do not realize is that under the guise of 'defence' the US has infiltrated each and every country it has bases in. Same with other countries that put bases outside their own borders.
As this article astutely points out - and Russia is totally aware of - the population has NO IDEA what the US has actually installed aka the simple change of software changes the whole meaning - and no 'defence' was ever intended. It always was about demonizing Russia to have the excuse for more 'defence' profits and to invade and steal Russia's resources just like they have done everywhere else. So the US track record already is proof enough.
Russia is also - it seems - the ONLY country who is NOT complicit in all the psychopathic take-over of the world. Complicit means guilty. It also means that ignorance of the facts does not absolve ANY one or ANY country that just watches - allowing this evil takeover to happen!
Russia is not just standing up for herself (seeing the whole dangerous scenario that the MSM masks from people), but by her essential stance she is also warning the WORLD of the true nefarious intentions of all those who assist the evil vermin US leaders in their totally insane plans of taking over the world.
Not to mention the fact that the bank have already practically done so!
Time people realized that if you truly looked for any other countries that are trying to stop this global and greedy threat to humanity - how many other names/countries come to mind?
The psychopaths behind US hegemony, NATO et al do not care a hoot about defending ANYONE. Plus they would nuke the whole of humanity in an instant (and that is exactly where we are heading very shortly!!).
A typical example is the little island of Cyprus. The population have no idea of the installations around the island and what they can or even could do. Even less what could be on the British Bases here - let alone what real part they played in the killing of innocent civilians in countries outside of it's borders!
Strangely enough governments, military, politicians, banks etc are there to serve their people? Never was that the case, though they lie to pretend so. Thank goodness Putin DOES serve his people. Without his warnings who would be any the wiser? It would be fait accomplit and total world obliteration. And still can be.
Thanks for the important article Eric and Sott!
In most peoples eyes it is the vilan & aggressor.
How do you beat the worlds information propaganda.
I don't know & this is where all the problems lie.
Lack of balanced honest information and the people that possess it will never be allowed to bring it to the public.
Why Chinese missile swarms could obliterate America in battle
The U.S. Air Force relies on more than 5,000 aircraft to give it unmatched dominance over every other competitor on earth. The U.S. Navy, for its part, counts on more than 3,700 aircraft and 273...As far as the fear card plays out . No body in the U.S. has any idea of what is even going on in the world. The mainstream media here never mentions anything as far as Russia or any other country in the world. Most college students here have no idea who the president is let alone there may be a nuclear war in the not so distant future. Meth and prescription drug use here is out of control so the people here are numb to anything except the fake election. I quit watching any news 24 hours of Hillary vs Trump, give me a break. So fear isn't a factor in the U.S. remember the government will take care of you while the bombs are dropping.
Get rid of the shit in Government that's there just for them selves the Corporations & the Neocons.
I know easy said but hard to do with a dumbeb down & divided populace not to mention the Christian Conservatives.
But for the good of the whole planet it's the best way.
We probably need outside intervention, which is un-American and wouldn't go over well, so... Wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which fills up faster. We just are NOT the same frontiersman of yesteryear and the taxes and restrictions we put up with today are probably way more outrageous than tea tax or taxation without representation that helped drive the American Revolution. Well, yeah we have all of that and more, so "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." This is the Empire of Chaos and we want YOU to join us! Muahahahahaha! Too much? Not good enough? OK. Here's a solution. Start by dismantling the propaganda machine. If the control over the mind can be broken maybe we can resist. Sites like SOTT bring a modicum of sanity back to the world like Prometheus and fire. We all know how that turned out... BBQ! ; - ) So maybe there is still hope and this time we can preserve Prometheus for outstanding service : - ) Fight propaganda, fight the machine.
I’ve decided to share some info from some Polish sources who supposedly know more on what’s really going on behind the scenes as far as Polish-Russian and Polish-Western (USA/UE) relations are concerned.
Firstly, in the present PIS government there are allegedly some people who know more (including the chief of PIS party – Jarosław Kaczyński). Orban – Hungary’s prime minister has supposedly helped them to open their eyes. He’s told them that Putin has a modern weaponry which can disable not only radars and other electronics but also satellites + that Putin actually wants to help Poland and generally Europe to kick out Americans + some stuff about Smolensk plane catastrophe which supposedly has drastically changed the attitude of some Polish decision-makers towards Russia.
Secondly, the Polish government is under the strong pressure from the US and some UE countries (actually they are trying to conduct a 'regime change' in a near future by massive street protests using allegedly civil movement KOD with a slimy, useful idiot as a headman, a man from nowhere – Kijowski + Nowoczesna party with a dumbhead bankster as a chief – Petru, both sponsored by Soros. In fact the Polish government has already been falsely attacked by European Commission and Western press many times and the process has been escalating). They can’t just say NATO to get out of Poland. Probably even president Duda has received some threats.
To make a story short – the Polish government has been following the rules of US/UE to some extent, they are making and saying publicly what the US wants including lies about Russia and some antiRussia “shows” – for instance arresting of the leader of pro Russia party Zmiana (although yesterday prime minister Szydło said standing next to the secretary of NATO that Russia was our neighbor and we were going to discuss with it), but at the same time they have been conducting secret talks with Russia directly and indirectly, giving Putin a green light to intervene if it will be necessary to disable unwise, dangerous military moves by the US.
"Putin is saying that either Romania — and subsequently Poland — will cancel and nullify their cooperation with U.S. President Obama's ABM installation, or else there will be a surgical strike by Russia against such installation(s)"
Saying such a nonsense shows that Putin got crazy...