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Vladimir Putin said today that a direct clash between NATO troops and those from Russia would lead to a “global catastrophe,” adding that he saw no need for massive attacks on Ukraine for the time being.
The Russian strongman also said his military mobilization for the war is coming to an end and that he has no plans for further conscription once it has ended.
Putin spoke in Astana at a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States Summit (CIS), where he sat at the table with allies – most of them leaders of post-Soviet states.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the plenary session of the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS) summit, October 14, 2022 in Astana, Kazakhstan
Speaking at a press conference in the Kazakh capital, Putin said the “partial mobilization” he announced last month, which the defense minister said aimed at recruiting 300,000 soldiers, was coming to an end and would end in two weeks.
“I hope those who say this are smart enough not to take such steps,” he said of a possible conflict between Russia and the Western alliance.
He said at the press conference that he sees no need for “massive attacks” on Ukraine at the moment, but that could change in the future. He maintained that his aim was not to destroy Ukraine with his ongoing invasion.
In recent weeks, fears have grown over the possibility of Moscow launching nuclear strikes after a series of embarrassing setbacks in Putin’s invasion.
It was revealed Friday – shortly before speaking in Astana – that Putin has expanded the number of his strategic nuclear bombers stationed at an airbase near the Finnish and Norwegian borders, satellite images show.
“Nothing extra is planned. No proposals have been received from the Defense Ministry and I see no additional need in the near future,” Putin said of his continued mobilization.
In the photo, from left: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmon and Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov attend a joint photo ceremony at the Russia and Central Asia Summit, Kazakhstan, Friday, October 14, 2022
‘Now 222,000 of the 300,000 people have been mobilized. All mobilization activities will be completed within approximately two weeks.’
A total of 33,000 of them are already in military units and 16,000 are involved in the military operation in Ukraine, he said.
When asked if he regretted the order to invade his neighbor on February 24, Putin replied, “No.” He acknowledged that the war made us uncomfortable, but said he believed what his troops were doing was right.
Putin said he “does not see the need” for talks with US President Joe Biden about an end to the war, but suggested he be open to talks with Kiev.
“We have to ask him whether he is willing to have such conversations with me or not. I don’t see the need, to be honest,” said Putin, asking about a possible meeting with Biden on the sidelines of a G20 summit in November. He added that no decision has yet been made on his participation in the Indonesia-organized summit.
The call, which Putin announced in September, has proved wildly unpopular in Russia, where nearly all men under the age of 65 are registered as reservists.
The Russian leader initially described the mobilization as “partial” and said only those with combat or service experience would be called up. However, a decree he signed outlined almost no specific criteria.
Russian media reports have described attempts to arrest men with no relevant experience, including those who are medically ineligible for service. Tens of thousands of men left Russia in the wake of the president’s mobilization order.
Putin spoke after damning evidence gathered by the UN that Moscow’s troops are using rape as a weapon of war against Ukrainians.
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