Vladimir Putin has challenged the West to a “high tech duel” after claims NATO air defences could knock out Russia’s new hypersonic ballistic missiles.
The Russian president scoffed at claims by some experts that the Western military alliance could intercept Russia’s Oreshnik missile.
He told his annual call-in show and news conference on Thursday (December 19): “Let them select a target, possibly in Kyiv, put their air defence assets there, and we shall strike it with the Oreshnik. Let’s see what happens.”
During the highly choreographed event, which went on for over four hours, Putin boasted his so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine had strengthened Russia’s military and economic power.
The Russian autocrat said: “Russia has become much stronger over the past two or three years because it has become a truly sovereign country.
“We are standing firm in terms of economy, we are strengthening our defence potential and our military capability now is the strongest in the world.”
Putin, who has held power for almost 25 years and was reelected for another six-year term in February, said the military was advancing toward achieving the Kremlin’s goals in Ukraine.
In response to a question about a new hypersonic ballistic missile that Russia used for the first time last month to strike Ukraine, Putin scoffed at claims by some Western experts that NATO’s air defences could intercept it.
He mockingly challenged Ukraine’s allies to a “high-tech duel” and suggested Moscow could give advance notice of a strike on Kyiv with the Oreshnik missile and see if the West could protect the city.
The new missile was first used against Ukraine in November when a missile carrying six warheads struck Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth most populous city.
Putin’s show, which is broadcast live by state-controlled TV across Russia’s 11 time zones, is usually dominated by domestic issues, with journalists and ordinary people calling in to ask about soaring consumer prices and mortgages, pensions and shortage of doctors.
In the West, however, the Russian leader’s pronouncements on foreign affairs come under particular scrutiny.
Russia is making steady but slow advances in Ukraine but has also suffered embarrassing setbacks. Russian General Igor Kirillov was killed by a bomb planted outside his apartment building in Moscow on Tuesday (December 17) in a brazen assassination claimed by Ukraine.
Putin described Kirillov’s killing as a “major blunder” for Russia’s security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.
Moscow’s troops are also battling Ukrainian forces in the Russian region of Kursk, where they have launched an incursion. Asked when they would drive the Ukrainians out, Putin said his forces “will certainly kick them out” but wouldn’t say how long it would take.
Putin also signalled he was open to possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to negotiate a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. He said: “If we meet with Mr Trump, we will have things to discuss.”
He indicated Russia is open for compromise in potential peace talks on Ukraine, telling viewers: “Politics is the art of compromise. We have always said that we are ready for both talks and compromises.”
At the same time, Putin said the talks should be informed by “the situation on the ground”. Putin has previously demanded Ukraine give up its bid to join NATO and recognise Russia’s gains. Kyiv and the West have rejected those demands.
In his first comments on deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s downfall, Putin said he hadn’t yet met the former Syrian ruler, whom he has given asylum in Moscow, but plans to.
Moscow has sought to establish contacts with the rebels who ousted al-Assad to secure its diplomatic and military personnel in the country and try to extend the lease on its air and naval bases in the country.
However, it is unclear how much influence Russia will have in Syria. Al-Assad’s fall has dealt it a painful blow since Russia fought for nine years to prop him up in the country’s civil war.
Putin denied the events had weakened Moscow, arguing it has achieved the goal of destroying “terrorist” groups in Syria via an air campaign launched in support of Assad in 2015.
He claimed rebel groups fighting against al-Assad have changed and the West is now ready to establish ties with them, adding, “That means that our goals have been achieved.”
