Another attempt at manipulation and nuclear blackmail – Ukrainian Intelligence reacts to Russia's START participation halt

Ukraine’s Intelligence Chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told this in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda. 

"This is another attempt at manipulation and nuclear blackmail, which is already common now. I emphasize: blackmail is not aimed at Ukraine, but at the world," he said.

According to Budanov, with the way things are now, it really means nothing.

"Because Russia is currently unable to produce a sufficient number of advanced missiles, especially for strategic and operational-tactical purposes," Budanov noted.

The intelligence believes that if such a statement was made before February 24, 2022, you would seriously consider it.

"But the year of full-scale war has completely destroyed all illusions about the Russian defense and industrial complex potential," Budanov stressed.

He also noted that Russia has zero chance to compete with the West regarding such weapons, even in theory.

"Can they develop, let's say, a prototype? For example, operational-tactical missile weapons or medium-range strategic weapons? Because when they talk about it, they usually mean ballistic missiles with a five thousand kilometers range. Well, theoretically, they can produce one or two. And what's next? If there’s an arms race, Russia has zero chance to compete with the West, even in theory. They can't provide their armed forces with conventional weapons at the moment, let alone high-tech," Budanov explained.

• On February 21, Putin announced that Russia had decided to suspend its START participation. He also ordered the Russian military to prepare for nuclear weapons testing. 

• NATO Secretary General said that the Alliance was disappointed by Russia's statement and called on it to reconsider its decision.

• The representatives of the G7 member states announced in a joint statement that they are not afraid of Putin’s nuclear threats and will continue supporting Ukraine.

• Dmitry Medvedev accused the USA of wanting to destroy Russia and resorted to nuclear threats once again.