In his inaugural address regarding the potential for dialogue with the West on strategic stability, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed that Moscow does not view NATO countries as eternal enemies. Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the Center for Complex European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics and an expert of the Valdai Club, told TASS.
Delivering his remarks at the Kremlin, Putin asserted that Moscow remains open to dialogue with the West and is prepared to engage in discussions concerning security and strategic stability, albeit on equal terms. Suslov highlighted, "The president thereby underscored Russia's stance of not seeking perpetual confrontation with the West, nor regarding it as our adversary indefinitely. We are presently in a state of confrontation precisely because the West finds Russia's sovereign development model unacceptable."
Suslov added, "If, however, the West shifts away from this approach and acknowledges Russia as an independent, sovereign entity, we are eager and willing to establish equitable cooperation."
"The same principle applies to discussions on strategic stability. Currently, the West is unwilling to engage in equitable dialogue with Russia on this matter, one that takes into account Russian interests. Instead, it seeks to engage Russia in discussions on strategic stability while perpetuating hybrid warfare, attempting to normalize it and portray it as the norm, convincing itself and the world of its absolute safety," he continued.
The expert noted that Putin's assertion regarding dialogue is intertwined with Russia's intentions to practically explore the preparation and potential use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. "This is closely related: on one hand, Russia has demonstrated to the West that if it persists with hybrid warfare and escalation, it may result in Russian nuclear strikes on European NATO countries," - the agency's interlocutor remarked. - "On the other hand, should the West abandon this path of escalation, we can engage in discussions on strategic stability in a completely normal manner."
Putin assumed office as Russian president for the fifth term. The inauguration ceremony for his new presidential term occurred on Tuesday following the Russian presidential election held from March 15 to 17. According to the Central Election Commission, the incumbent president secured 87.28% of the votes, marking the highest turnout in modern Russian history at 77.44%.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS\