🇷🇺VLADIMIR PUTIN: "Mr Shoigu, there is another issue unrelated to current developments along the forward edge of the front line of the special military operation.
This pertains to the commotion stirred by the West, including the United States, regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space.
Our position is clear and transparent: We have always strongly opposed, and continue to oppose, the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space.
On the contrary, we urge the involved parties to uphold all agreements in this sphere, and have proposed expanding this collaborative effort several times.
For some reason, the West has brought up this issue once again and is acting rather emotionally. How can you explain this?"
🇷🇺SERGEI SHOIGU: "Mr President, first, I would like to clarify that this is not happening. Second, they know that we are not doing this…"
🇷🇺VLADIMIR PUTIN: "'Not doing' meaning that we do not deploy weapons in outer space."
🇷🇺SERGEI SHOIGU: "Exactly, I am referring to the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space and the use of any other nuclear weapons systems against satellites or creating debris fields that would hamper the effective operation of satellites.
In reality, they know that we are not doing this, yet they are raising a fuss nonetheless. Mr President, we are surprised because everyone is aware of our capabilities, and you openly told the world about this during your Address to the Federal Assembly in 2018.
They know that our Poseidon, Peresvet, Burevestnik and Sarmat projects have reached the completion phase, and that the Avangard project has been completed. Two regiments have been put on combat duty. We can add a few other options in this situation.
They are not speaking about this, but it really is something they should be afraid of.
In our opinion, they are probably not speaking about this because they do not possess such systems.
As we see it, there are two reasons for the recent commotion.
First, they want to scare senators and members of Congress into approving the allocation of funds designed not only for Ukraine but for fighting Russia and delivering a strategic defeat to it.
Second, they may be doing this to try to convince us in this awkward manner to start a dialogue on strategic stability."
🇷🇺VLADIMIR PUTIN: "Yes, I agree with that."
🇷🇺SERGEI SHOIGU: "This is the most likely explanation."
🇷🇺VLADIMIR PUTIN: "Yes, I agree. As for space, we are only doing in space what other countries are doing, including the United States. And you are right, of course, that they are aware of this."
ALT Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at the Kremlin, February 20, 2024