Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the US of provoking an arms race and says Russia must be ‘prepared for any development’.
Russia launched joint navy drills with China in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. It’s part of the larger ‘Ocean-2024’ exercise, consisting of naval drills that will span the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas.
“The purpose of the exercise is to check in detail the key aspects of combat readiness,” Putin said addressing military personnel taking part in the drills.
“We pay special attention to strengthening military cooperation with friendly states. Today, in the context of growing geopolitical tensions in the world, this is especially important,” he adds.
The Russian leader accuses the United States of ‘provoking an arms race’.
“Under the pretext of countering the allegedly existing Russian threat and containing the People’s Republic of China, the United States and its satellites are increasing their military presence near Russia’s western borders, in the Arctic and in the Asia-Pacific region,” Putin said, stressing that “Russia must be prepared for any development of the situation.”
Putin said the naval exercises, that are expected to last until September 16, are the largest of their kind in three decades.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the drills involve over 90,000 troops, more than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels and 120 aircrafts and helicopters.