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Can India help resolve the Ukraine conflict?

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sent out a hard-hitting message to the West and talked about suspending a nuclear arms control pact that it holds with the US, the New START treaty.&nbsp;

"... if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed," Putin said.&nbsp;

This once again heightened concerns over a possible nuclear threat as the world's two main nuclear powers come face-to-face.&nbsp;

But how real are Putin's threats?&nbsp;

India's former ambassador to Turkey and Uzbekistan and Author of “Uncle Sam's Nuclear Cabin”, M.K. Bhadrakumar, spoke with WION and shared his razor-sharp observations on what significance Putin's nuclear threats have. He also spoke about the US thinking and how India's steadfast position on the Ukraine war reflects the nation’s well-founded foreign policy.&nbsp;

The envoy cut to the chase and said, "The nuclear threat is more of a hoax."&nbsp;

"It is political. One must understand that Russians have a clear nuclear doctrine, which is registered with the UN and is the country’s legislation as well. Putin or anyone cannot change it arbitrarily."

The world first believed that Russia would capture Ukraine in a matter of days but now discussions are around whether Putin's nuclear threat is real and can actually lead to a global disaster.

Bhadrakumar detailed what Russia's doctrine actually entails. "It spells out very clearly that nuclear power will be used in certain situations. Like, if the Russian state comes under threat or its existence is in danger, and the Ukraine conflict does not really come to that."&nbsp;

When can a shift really happen in the nuke status quo?

The former diplomat said the doctrine can "only change if there is a direct NATO intervention in Ukraine."&nbsp; 
 
"(US President Joe) Biden is quite mindful of it and that is why he keeps saying that there is no question of putting boots on the ground or NATO interfering in the war."&nbsp;

In any case, Bhadrakumar pointed out, even if the US wants, the other NATO powers are not going to go along with it.&nbsp;

"They know a confrontation of that kind between NATO and Russia will develop into a nuclear confrontation and Europe will be in the crossfire."&nbsp;

Nuclear threat: A propaganda tool

Nuclear threat, the former envoy said, is propaganda to create certain narratives.&nbsp;

By talking about the suspension of the New START treaty, Putin has put the ball in the American court, he said. "Now Biden cannot go on and escalate&nbsp;because if he escalates now, Russians will walk out of the New START treaty completely."&nbsp;

The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement&nbsp;after Putin’s treaty suspension speech, clarifying that they will nonetheless observe the terms of the treaty till 2026.&nbsp;

“That (talk of New START treaty suspension) is clearly to compel the US to exercise self-restraint because if US goes ahead and escalates like this and Russians walk out, then Europe is in a mess. Europe has two nuclear powers and Germany and Italy will also now want nuclear deterrence of their own, then what happens with NATO? NATO becomes redundant."&nbsp;

He stressed that Americans know all this. "It is a different ball game that is being played there. What Russians have done is to compel the US to strategically engage with Russia and that means all issues connected to security will be on the table."&nbsp;

"This is nothing about nuclear war, this is more about nuclear diplomacy."&nbsp;

By nuclear diplomacy, he said, Russians hope to bring matters to the negotiating table.&nbsp;

"Security is not divisible, like you cannot just handle nuclear security, there has to be mutual trust, mutual confidence, various underpinnings have to be built into it and so on but the Americans will have no choice but to engage with Russians.”

“Russians will then say you can not give long-range weapons to Ukraine and you cannot induct Ukraine as a NATO member and so on."&nbsp;

Searching for a thaw? The Nuland interview

Speaking about US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland's interview with TASS news agency, the envoy said, if one looks closely they will note that there are many backdoor talks which go on.&nbsp;

Notably, in an interview with the agency, Nuland said that the United States is ready to start talks with Russia on the New START nuclear arms control treaty "tomorrow" without preconditions and accusations if Moscow is prepared for this.&nbsp;

"She would not have said it without instructions from Biden himself."

He said that Americans are now ready to talk as otherwise, it can lead to the demolition of NATO and the transatlantic system and all nuclear threshold states in Europe like Turkey, Poland, Germany, and Italy will all become nuclear states. "And if there is no nuclear architecture everyone will go for deterrent capability on its own."&nbsp;

And then what happens?&nbsp;

He said, "It will be free for all."&nbsp;

"And what is the requirement of an alliance if all develop their own deterrent capabilities?" the envoy questioned.&nbsp;

"South Arabia will go for it, Iran, South Korea... so many threshold states are there... Egypt."&nbsp;

"Americans know that after that, there conventional superiority... military superiority becomes irrelevant."&nbsp;

"And if the other side has nuclear capabilities they checkmate American power. So this is the brilliant game that the Russians have played by bringing these things to the fore. So there are no winners after this."&nbsp;

He underscored that the conventional military superiority of the US cannot be translated in geopolitical terms.&nbsp;

"Saddam Hussein did not have weapons (of mass destruction)....suppose Saddam Hussain had weapons or Muammar Gaddafi had weapons. They would not have met with that miserable fate. So a number of countries are going to think along those lines."

After all, in the case of Russia, the former envoy underlined, the country cannot lose this war. "Russia cannot be defeated only because it is someone with nuclear capability."&nbsp;

"Because if they are down, they will take the Americans along with them. Biden knows in any case the game is up.. it will be all order or complete anarchy."&nbsp;

Ukraine can make a ‘dirty bomb?’

In the latest IAEA report, the UN nuclear watchdog elaborated on nuclear safety in Ukraine. It noted that the nuclear plant Zaporizhzhia NPP, which Russian troops entered on March 4, 2022, remains under Russian control.

On a discussion over the report, the Ambassador said Zaporizhzhia&nbsp;NPP is an entirely different category and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

"It is in terms of energy security. It caters to the bulk of Ukraine's power grid. If these provinces are going to be part of Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donbas province and so on, their economic viability will depend on power supplies and it will help Russia quite a lot."&nbsp;

Going back to the main issue of nuclear threat, the envoy said, "Second aspect is that unless they are not in control…there is always a possibility that Ukraine is a nuclear threshold state. So in these kinds of anarchical conditions, they can always go nuclear and they can always make the dirty bomb."

"Russian raised this in the UNSC and I was asked to come and look into it whether Ukraine is already doing it or not. So, NPP is entirely different, it has nothing to do with nuclear war."&nbsp;

India's steadfast stand on the Russia-Ukraine war

India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war has remained constant. Even under western pressure, India did not waver.&nbsp;

"India has the professionalism to understand what is happening. The confusion arises only in the mind of uninformed people but as far as decision-makers are concerned keep them separate."

He said Indian PM Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar have all the facts at their disposal.&nbsp;

"They will not get agitated and India's policy towards the war is well-founded on the basis of other larger considerations. Everyone knows it and Jaishankar's remarks at MSC make it abundantly clear that India has understood that this is about the world order."

"The transatlantic alliance cannot dictate any further terms.. that is about western hegemony."

"The war is an unprecedented confrontation between big powers. So, it is an entirely different ball game and world order that is going to prevail in the 21st century and in the coming decades. It is very clear that India's strategic autonomy is well-founded."

&nbsp;

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sent out a hard-hitting message to the West and talked about suspending a nuclear arms control pact that it holds with the US, the New START treaty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sent out a hard-hitting message to the West and talked about suspending a nuclear arms control pact that it holds with the US, the New START treaty. "... if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed," Putin said. This once again heightened concerns over a possible nuclear threat as the world's two main nuclear powers come face-to-face. But how real are Putin's threats? India's former ambassador to Turkey and Uzbekistan and Author of “Uncle Sam's Nuclear Cabin”, M.K. Bhadrakumar, spoke with WION and shared his razor-sharp observations on what significance Putin's nuclear threats have. He also spoke about the US thinking and how India's steadfast position on the Ukraine war reflects the nation’s well-founded foreign policy. The envoy cut to the chase and said, "The nuclear threat is more of a hoax." "It is political. One must understand that Russians have a clear nuclear doctrine, which is registered with the UN and is the country’s legislation as well. Putin or anyone cannot change it arbitrarily." The world first believed that Russia would capture Ukraine in a matter of days but now discussions are around whether Putin's nuclear threat is real and can actually lead to a global disaster. Bhadrakumar detailed what Russia's doctrine actually entails. "It spells out very clearly that nuclear power will be used in certain situations. Like, if the Russian state comes under threat or its existence is in danger, and the Ukraine conflict does not really come to that." When can a shift really happen in the nuke status quo? The former diplomat said the doctrine can "only change if there is a direct NATO intervention in Ukraine." "(US President Joe) Biden is quite mindful of it and that is why he keeps saying that there is no question of putting boots on the ground or NATO interfering in the war." In any case, Bhadrakumar pointed out, even if the US wants, the other NATO powers are not going to go along with it. "They know a confrontation of that kind between NATO and Russia will develop into a nuclear confrontation and Europe will be in the crossfire." Nuclear threat: A propaganda tool Nuclear threat, the former envoy said, is propaganda to create certain narratives. By talking about the suspension of the New START treaty, Putin has put the ball in the American court, he said. "Now Biden cannot go on and escalate because if he escalates now, Russians will walk out of the New START treaty completely." The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement after Putin’s treaty suspension speech, clarifying that they will nonetheless observe the terms of the treaty till 2026. “That (talk of New START treaty suspension) is clearly to compel the US to exercise self-restraint because if US goes ahead and escalates like this and Russians walk out, then Europe is in a mess. Europe has two nuclear powers and Germany and Italy will also now want nuclear deterrence of their own, then what happens with NATO? NATO becomes redundant." He stressed that Americans know all this. "It is a different ball game that is being played there. What Russians have done is to compel the US to strategically engage with Russia and that means all issues connected to security will be on the table." "This is nothing about nuclear war, this is more about nuclear diplomacy." By nuclear diplomacy, he said, Russians hope to bring matters to the negotiating table. "Security is not divisible, like you cannot just handle nuclear security, there has to be mutual trust, mutual confidence, various underpinnings have to be built into it and so on but the Americans will have no choice but to engage with Russians.” “Russians will then say you can not give long-range weapons to Ukraine and you cannot induct Ukraine as a NATO member and so on." Searching for a thaw? The Nuland interview Speaking about US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland's interview with TASS news agency, the envoy said, if one looks closely they will note that there are many backdoor talks which go on. Notably, in an interview with the agency, Nuland said that the United States is ready to start talks with Russia on the New START nuclear arms control treaty "tomorrow" without preconditions and accusations if Moscow is prepared for this. "She would not have said it without instructions from Biden himself." He said that Americans are now ready to talk as otherwise, it can lead to the demolition of NATO and the transatlantic system and all nuclear threshold states in Europe like Turkey, Poland, Germany, and Italy will all become nuclear states. "And if there is no nuclear architecture everyone will go for deterrent capability on its own." And then what happens? He said, "It will be free for all." "And what is the requirement of an alliance if all develop their own deterrent capabilities?" the envoy questioned. "South Arabia will go for it, Iran, South Korea... so many threshold states are there... Egypt." "Americans know that after that, there conventional superiority... military superiority becomes irrelevant." "And if the other side has nuclear capabilities they checkmate American power. So this is the brilliant game that the Russians have played by bringing these things to the fore. So there are no winners after this." He underscored that the conventional military superiority of the US cannot be translated in geopolitical terms. "Saddam Hussein did not have weapons (of mass destruction)....suppose Saddam Hussain had weapons or Muammar Gaddafi had weapons. They would not have met with that miserable fate. So a number of countries are going to think along those lines." After all, in the case of Russia, the former envoy underlined, the country cannot lose this war. "Russia cannot be defeated only because it is someone with nuclear capability." "Because if they are down, they will take the Americans along with them. Biden knows in any case the game is up.. it will be all order or complete anarchy." Ukraine can make a ‘dirty bomb?’ In the latest IAEA report, the UN nuclear watchdog elaborated on nuclear safety in Ukraine. It noted that the nuclear plant Zaporizhzhia NPP, which Russian troops entered on March 4, 2022, remains under Russian control. On a discussion over the report, the Ambassador said Zaporizhzhia NPP is an entirely different category and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons. "It is in terms of energy security. It caters to the bulk of Ukraine's power grid. If these provinces are going to be part of Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donbas province and so on, their economic viability will depend on power supplies and it will help Russia quite a lot." Going back to the main issue of nuclear threat, the envoy said, "Second aspect is that unless they are not in control…there is always a possibility that Ukraine is a nuclear threshold state. So in these kinds of anarchical conditions, they can always go nuclear and they can always make the dirty bomb." "Russian raised this in the UNSC and I was asked to come and look into it whether Ukraine is already doing it or not. So, NPP is entirely different, it has nothing to do with nuclear war." India's steadfast stand on the Russia-Ukraine war India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war has remained constant. Even under western pressure, India did not waver. "India has the professionalism to understand what is happening. The confusion arises only in the mind of uninformed people but as far as decision-makers are concerned keep them separate." He said Indian PM Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar have all the facts at their disposal. "They will not get agitated and India's policy towards the war is well-founded on the basis of other larger considerations. Everyone knows it and Jaishankar's remarks at MSC make it abundantly clear that India has understood that this is about the world order." "The transatlantic alliance cannot dictate any further terms.. that is about western hegemony." "The war is an unprecedented confrontation between big powers. So, it is an entirely different ball game and world order that is going to prevail in the 21st century and in the coming decades. It is very clear that India's strategic autonomy is well-founded." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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Click on the headlines to read more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-announces-suspension-of-nuke-arms-control-treaty-with-us-564382">Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US</a>

 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/21/333956-putin-2.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US amidst tensions with Washington over the invasion of Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-top-diplomat-to-visit-russia-amid-beijings-call-to-end-ukraine-war-564123">China's top diplomat to visit Russia amid Beijing's call to end Ukraine war</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/21/333815-untitled-design-2023-02-21t083359817.png?imwidth=1920" />

Wang Yi, the top Beijing diplomat appointed Chinese leader Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser last month, is scheduled to visit Moscow this week. The visit coincides one year of Russia's initiation of 'special military operations' in Ukraine, which quickly amplified into a full-fledged war between the two sides. 
&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-reported-trapped-under-rubble-after-another-earthquake-hits-turkey-3-dead-564129">Several reported trapped under rubble after another earthquake hits Turkey; 6 dead</a>

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Another earthquake in Turkey on Monday left people scrambling to seek shelter in safer places. The &nbsp;6.4-magnitude quake comes two weeks after a massive quake that killed over 47,000 people in Turkey and Syria. Another earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hit the region soon after. The new earthquake was centred near the southern Turkish city of Antakya and was also felt in Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.&nbsp;

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With just days to go in Russia-Ukraine one-year war anniversary, world leaders are visiting Kyiv in a show of their solidarity towards the war-torn country. A day after US President Joe Biden visited Kyiv on a surprise visit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also touched down the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, her spokesman told AFP news agency.&nbsp;

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A law that has protected big tech companies in the United States since 1996 from lawsuits over content posted on their platforms will be considered by the Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 21). The top court is set to hear a bid to weaken the legislation, which is linked to a case over November 2015 Paris attacks. The ruling - expected by June 30 - could have serious consequences vis a vis the future of the internet.&nbsp;

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KL Rahul's place in the Indian team has become a big talking point. While Rohit Sharma-led India are on a roll versus Australia and gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the Delhi Test, Rahul finds himself in a spot of bother owing to his poor run of form in whites. In the last 12 innings, he has only managed 198 runs. In addition, he has a total of 38 runs in the three outings in the ongoing series.

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JK Rowling got an apology from BBC for the second time in a row in less than a month. This, after they accused the popular author of having transphobic views on a live current affairs show.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a strong-worded speech against West announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a strong-worded speech against West announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US. Meanwhile, Wang Yi China's top diplomat is visting Moscow, a visit that coincides one year of Russia's war on Ukraine. Amoung other news, another earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit Turkey on Monday, killing at least 6 people. Click on the headlines to read more. Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US amidst tensions with Washington over the invasion of Ukraine. China's top diplomat to visit Russia amid Beijing's call to end Ukraine war Wang Yi, the top Beijing diplomat appointed Chinese leader Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser last month, is scheduled to visit Moscow this week. The visit coincides one year of Russia's initiation of 'special military operations' in Ukraine, which quickly amplified into a full-fledged war between the two sides. Several reported trapped under rubble after another earthquake hits Turkey; 6 dead Another earthquake in Turkey on Monday left people scrambling to seek shelter in safer places. The 6.4-magnitude quake comes two weeks after a massive quake that killed over 47,000 people in Turkey and Syria. Another earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hit the region soon after. The new earthquake was centred near the southern Turkish city of Antakya and was also felt in Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni arrives in Kyiv by train from Poland With just days to go in Russia-Ukraine one-year war anniversary, world leaders are visiting Kyiv in a show of their solidarity towards the war-torn country. A day after US President Joe Biden visited Kyiv on a surprise visit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also touched down the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, her spokesman told AFP news agency. Air India on a hiring spree with one role paying as much as Rs 2 crore Air India is preparing for the mega order that it has placed with Boeing and Airbus by hiring staff across ranks and roles. The airline placed an order for 470 aircraft few days back. Its current staff strength allows it to support just around 140 planes. According to Business Today, some of the positions come with a pay package of Rs two crore, the biggest of which is that of B777 Captains. US Supreme Court to hear case that could decide future of internet A law that has protected big tech companies in the United States since 1996 from lawsuits over content posted on their platforms will be considered by the Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 21). The top court is set to hear a bid to weaken the legislation, which is linked to a case over November 2015 Paris attacks. The ruling - expected by June 30 - could have serious consequences vis a vis the future of the internet. 'Salman Rushdie now no more than living dead': Iran to reward attacker with 1,000 square metres land An Iranian foundation has lauded the man who attacked writer Salman Rushdie last year, seriously injuring him, and announced that it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, according to state TV on Tuesday through its Telegram channel. After being attacked by a Shi'ite Muslim American from New Jersey, 24, on the stage of a literary event in western New York in August near Lake Erie, Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one hand, as reported by AFP. 'Disappointing to see...': Venkatesh Prasad blasts Aakash Chopra for calling him 'agenda peddle' vs KL Rahul KL Rahul's place in the Indian team has become a big talking point. While Rohit Sharma-led India are on a roll versus Australia and gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the Delhi Test, Rahul finds himself in a spot of bother owing to his poor run of form in whites. In the last 12 innings, he has only managed 198 runs. In addition, he has a total of 38 runs in the three outings in the ongoing series. Shawn Mendes opens up on cancelling his tour last year amid mental health issues Shawn Mendes had to cancel his tour last year to focus on his mental health. The hit singer is now reflecting on what he went through and why cancelling that tour was so important. “The process was very difficult. A lot of therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way and then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit,” said Shawn. JK Rowling gets second apology from BBC over transphobic views JK Rowling got an apology from BBC for the second time in a row in less than a month. This, after they accused the popular author of having transphobic views on a live current affairs show.

Top 10 world news: Putin suspends nuke arms control treaty with US, Wang Yi to visit Russia, and more

Russia's Putin blames West and Ukraine for provoking conflict

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will halt its participation in New Start, the last major remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the US, in a speech devoted to the one-year anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia to halt participation in New Start nuclear arms treaty

Russia-Ukraine war : President Putin suspends nuclear treaty with U.S.

Russian President Putin is speaking in Moscow, delivering a state-of-the-nation address. In previous addresses, he has railed against NATO's perceived threat to Russia, and drawn on his country's history to buttress his rationale for launching the invasion, and sticking with it in the face of unexpected Ukrainian resistance.

Russian president Putin blames the West for escalation in Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine war | Putin: West hiding behind the veil of democracy

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (February 21) lashed out at the Church of England while he also stepped up the attack on the United States and other western nations as the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which he ordered on February 24, 2022, is set to complete one year. "The Church of England is considering a version of a 'gender-neutral' God. They don’t know what they’re doing," he said. Earlier this month, the centuries-old institution had said that it would look into the use of gender neutral terms to refer to God in prayers. In his latest remarks, the Russian President said that the western churches go against bible.

"Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female. Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship," a spokesperson for the Church said earlier this month, stressing that there were "absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise" authorised services. No changes would be introduced, the spokesperson added, without "extensive legislation". The Church of England has also come under attack from conservative over its decision to grant blessings to same-sex couples in civil marriages. 
&nbsp; 
Questioning the observations by the institution, Putin said: “Their prime target is of course younger people and our young generation. And here, again, they lie constantly. They distort historical facts, they constantly attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church, and other traditional religious organisations of our country." &nbsp;

&nbsp;“I’d like to say to them: look at the holy scripture, the holy books of all other world religions. It’s all said there - including the fact that family is the union of a man and a woman. But even those sacred texts are being reviewed now. As it became known, the Anglican Church for example plans to, just plans at this point, to consider the idea of gender-neutral God. What can I say? May God forgive them for they know not what they do," the Russian President said.

Watch|Key takeaways of Russian President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union address

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Putin's warning to West 
A day after US President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine, Putin issued a sharp warning. "The elites of the West do not hide their purpose. But they also cannot fail to realise that it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield," he said. His comments come as the US has decided to send more weapons to Kyiv.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-announces-suspension-of-nuke-arms-control-treaty-with-us-564382">Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US</a>

"I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty," Putin announced in an apparent retaliation. Some people in Washington were thinking about resuming nuclear testing, he said without any other statements in support of the claim as he stressed that Russia's defence ministry and nuclear corporation should therefore be ready to test Russian nuclear weapons if necessary.&nbsp; "Of course, we will not do this first. But if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed," the Russian President underlined.

(With agency inputs)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (February 21) lashed out at the Church of England while he also stepped up the attack on the United States and other western nations as the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which he ordered on February 24, 2022, is set to complete one year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (February 21) lashed out at the Church of England while he also stepped up the attack on the United States and other western nations as the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which he ordered on February 24, 2022, is set to complete one year. "The Church of England is considering a version of a 'gender-neutral' God. They don’t know what they’re doing," he said. Earlier this month, the centuries-old institution had said that it would look into the use of gender neutral terms to refer to God in prayers. In his latest remarks, the Russian President said that the western churches go against bible. "Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female. Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship," a spokesperson for the Church said earlier this month, stressing that there were "absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise" authorised services. No changes would be introduced, the spokesperson added, without "extensive legislation". The Church of England has also come under attack from conservative over its decision to grant blessings to same-sex couples in civil marriages. Questioning the observations by the institution, Putin said: “Their prime target is of course younger people and our young generation. And here, again, they lie constantly. They distort historical facts, they constantly attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church, and other traditional religious organisations of our country." “I’d like to say to them: look at the holy scripture, the holy books of all other world religions. It’s all said there - including the fact that family is the union of a man and a woman. But even those sacred texts are being reviewed now. As it became known, the Anglican Church for example plans to, just plans at this point, to consider the idea of gender-neutral God. What can I say? May God forgive them for they know not what they do," the Russian President said. Watch|Key takeaways of Russian President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union address × Putin's warning to West A day after US President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine, Putin issued a sharp warning. "The elites of the West do not hide their purpose. But they also cannot fail to realise that it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield," he said. His comments come as the US has decided to send more weapons to Kyiv. Also read: Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US "I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty," Putin announced in an apparent retaliation. Some people in Washington were thinking about resuming nuclear testing, he said without any other statements in support of the claim as he stressed that Russia's defence ministry and nuclear corporation should therefore be ready to test Russian nuclear weapons if necessary. "Of course, we will not do this first. But if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed," the Russian President underlined. (With agency inputs) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

On 'gender-neutral' God, Putin slams Church of England: 'They don't know...'

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