Putin's missile threat at CSTO summit raises tensions
During the CSTO summit in Astana, Vladimir Putin threatened Ukraine with the use of Oreshnik ballistic missiles. Despite the arrest warrant, the Russian leader was received with honours. The meeting occurred against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and the absence of Armenia.
At the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Astana, Vladimir Putin threatened Ukraine with the deployment of Oreshnik ballistic missiles.
Despite the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, the Russian president was welcomed with honours. Putin stressed that Russia will not allow Ukraine to become a nuclear power.
Putin talks about "all available means of destruction"
"If the country we are currently at war with becomes a nuclear power, what will we do? In such a case, we will use all, I want to stress, exactly all means of destruction available in Russia. We will not permit this. We will monitor their every move," declared Putin in the capital of Kazakhstan.
Leaders from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia attended the meeting. Fourteen documents were signed, including a declaration addressing changes in the international situation.
Armenia, which suspended its participation in the CSTO, did not attend the summit. Alexander Lukashenko noted its absence, pointing to the worsening geopolitical situation.
During his visit to Kazakhstan, Putin engaged in talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, underlining the growing cooperation between the two countries. On the eve of the visit, the Kazakh parliament ratified an agreement to create an organization promoting the Russian language.
According to media reports, Putin's visit was an opportunity to strengthen economic and cultural relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
