Putin: Anything US Touches Turns into Libya or Iraq, Warns Foes: Don’t Mess With Us

Local Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized on Friday Washington's unilateral actions on the international arena, saying that whatever it touches seems to be turning into Libya or Iraq, while also warning Russia's foes "not to mess with us."

Speaking at an annual youth forum held in Tver region near the Russian city of Moscow, Putin told the participants: "Do you remember the joke: ‘Whatever Russians make, they always end up with a Kalashnikov?' I get an impression that whatever Americans touch they always end up with Libya or Iraq." 

He said Russia is going to boost its military forces and nuclear deterrence potential.

"Russia is one of the most powerful nuclear states. It's not words, it is the reality," he said. "We are strengthening our nuclear deterrence forces, we are strengthening our armed forces...We are beefing up our potential and will continue doing so."

This is being done "not to threaten anyone, "but to feel secure," he added.

Furthermore, Putin said that Russia's armed forces were ready to meet any aggression, declaring that foreign states should understand: "It's best not to mess with us."

Russia will not get engaged in any large conflicts, but will defend itself in case of aggression, Putin warned.

"Russia is far from getting involved in any large-scale conflicts. We don't want that and we are not going to do it. And, naturally, we should always be ready to repel any aggression against Russia," Putin said.

Moreover, Putin said that despite it being difficult to reach consensus at the United Nations [UN], unilateral decisions made outside of it are usually doomed to failure.

"When decisions are made unilaterally, they always turn out to be short lived. And the other way round: it's difficult to reach consensus at the UN because often opposite opinions and positions collide. But that is the only way to achieve long-term decisions," he said.

When a decision is balanced and supported by key members of the international community, Putin said, everyone starts working in order to fulfill it perfectly.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team