We have to take advantage of the opportunities of the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty to strengthen our defense capabilities – President
"Ukraine, in this case, did not withdraw from this treaty, but de facto, if the Treaty is terminated, Ukraine should use these opportunities in order to increase its defense potential," he said.
On Ukraine TV channel, President Petro Poroshenko stressed the importance of creating a new Ukrainian missile program. According to him, in the context of the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the conditions of which Russia has violated, “it is important to clearly understand the current situation in Ukraine and in the world”.
“Ukraine strictly adhered to all obligations and restrictions under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty that Ukraine took upon itself,” the President underlined.
“You remember that Ukraine voluntarily abandoned the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world. Of course, history does not tolerate conjunctive mood, but I think that nobody doubts that if we had nuclear weapons now, nobody would dare attack Ukraine,” Petro Poroshenko said.
At the same time, he stressed that one shouldn’t shift the blame. “The reason why the missile treaty was terminated is Russia, which, in violation of the treaty, secretly started trials. And then, when it was disclosed, they were forced to admit the testing of new missiles, which was prohibited under the Treaty,” the President said and noted that this is the official position of the United States of America, which was presented to the world with compelling evidence.
“The US says: it would be irresponsible if we pretended that nothing was happening when Russia did not comply with this Treaty. We have taken this approach with understanding. They made a decision and announced to the world that they are withdrawing from the Treaty, but if Russia returns, they are ready to return,” he said.
“Ukraine, in this case, did not withdraw from this treaty, but de facto, if the Treaty is terminated, Ukraine should use these opportunities in order to increase its defense potential,” he said.
The Head of State noted that our country owns missile technologies, corresponding production, scientific potential. “And we rapidly increased the radius of our missiles and their accuracy,” he added.
“We are not going to attack anyone, we are not going to use rocket technology as an instrument of attack. But the responsibility of the aggressor, if the aggression is continued and shelling takes place, the increase in the range of action and power, of course, will raise the price that the aggressor will pay for its reckless and irresponsible decisions,” Petro Poroshenko noted.
