Vladimir Poutine “do not threaten anyone”, “he warns”, “that’s the difference”, assures, spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in France, Thursday, September 22 on franceinfo. On Wednesday, in a televised address, the Russian head of state said he was ready to use “all means” in his arsenal against the West, which he accuses of wanting “destroy” Russia, stating that “It’s not a bluff”. The head of the Kremlin also announced the mobilization of 300,000 additional troops in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.
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At the question “Is he talking about nuclear weapons?”Alexander Makogonov calls for “distinguish threats from warnings“. According to him, Vladimir Putin “warns that Russia has all the means to retaliate to any kind of threat or attack against its people and its territory”. The spokesperson for the Russian Embassy also denounces the threats “western leaders”their “puns” on the nuclear threat and their “winks” to remind them that they “have possibilities of punishing Russia”. “But did you hear President Putin talk about nuclear war? He didn’t mention the term,” says Alexander Makogonov.
Concerning the Russian military retreat in Ukraine, the spokesman of the Russian Embassy mentions “a tactical retreat”denouncing Ukraine’s disinformation propaganda. “Ukraine is playing with numbers but no one knows how accurate these numbers are”he reacts, while kyiv says it has resumed “6,000 km2” of territories to Russian forces. “That doesn’t mean all is lost”believes Alexander Makogonov, denying any “Russian debacle”.
Putin brandishes the nuclear threat again ➡️ “Did you hear President Putin talk about nuclear war yesterday? He is not threatening anyone. He is warning”, says the spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in France. pic.twitter.com/KE2mwrGq1m
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) September 22, 2022
While pro-Russian forces have announced the holding of annexation referendums in four regions of Ukraine – Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia – Alexander Makogonov assures that “Russia will make decisions based on the will of the people of these regions.” “Historically, these lands are Russian, the inhabitants are ethnic Russians, they speak Russian, their mother tongue is Russian, they want to join the Russian family, they dream of it”he insists.
On Wednesday, prices for one-way flights from Russia soared after Vladimir Putin announced the immediate recall of 300,000 reservists. “It’s about young people, students”, advances Alexander Makogonov, “who did not listen well to the president’s message”, because “they are not subject to mobilization measures”. “Flee? I don’t know why these people are reacting with such emotion,” he continues. Assure him that he will not go to fight because he “already has his fight here, on the media front line”.
Finally, regarding the anti-mobilization demonstrations that took place in Russia on Wednesday and the arrest of more than 1,300 people, Alexander Makogonov evokes “demonstrations with handfuls of people”. According to him, “the vast majority of the population supports the measures loud and clear” taken by Vladimir Putin.