Russian nuclear missiles can penetrate any defense system: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed nuclear missiles in his country’s military inventory, stating that the ammunition can penetrate any missile defense system in the world.

Speaking at the end-of-year news conference in Moscow on Friday, Putin said Russia had to improve its nuclear weapons capabilities after the United States opted to pull out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002.

“When one party unilaterally withdrew from the treaty and said it was going to create an anti-nuclear umbrella, the other party has to either create a similar umbrella – the necessity of which we are not sure about, considering its questionable efficiency – or create effective ways to overcome this anti-ballistic missile system and improve its strike capabilities,” he said.

"We've made progress in improving our nuclear triad systems [land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles], including in terms of bypassing missile defense systems. And this system is much more effective than the US missile defense system. It's true," Putin said, adding, "We are doing this, and we are succeeding."

The Russian president added that the so-called nuclear arms race between Washington and Moscow had been initiated by the former.

Putin highlighted that Russia adheres to existing arms control agreements, including the New Start Treaty with the United States, concerning the modernization of its nuclear forces.

He added that the US is upgrading its nuclear arsenal, including the replacement of tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Europe.

Putin yet to decide on another term

The Russian leader also said he would later decide whether or not to run for the presidency in 2018, and stay in office for another six years.

Putin, 64, said he will "look at what will be going on in the country and in the world" to make a decision.

He also dismissed media speculations about early elections in Russia, saying such a vote is “unfeasible.”

Democrats should learn to concede defeat with grace

Putin also shrugged off Washington's claims of Russian meddling in the US presidential election, stating that the US Democratic Party just wanted to blame all their failures on somebody else.

“The Democratic Party lost not only the presidential election, but also elections in Congress, where the Republicans now have a majority. Was that my doing too? ” he asked. “Everything points to systematic problems in the current administration.”

“They are losing on all fronts and look for someone else to blame. I believe, this is, how should I say, humiliating. One should know how to lose with grace,” Putin said.

Nationwide truce in Syria vital

The Russian leader said it is necessary to broker a ceasefire across Syria before the re-launch of a round of peace negations.

He noted that Moscow suggested that Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana host the talks, and that Syrian President Bashar Assad has already agreed to that.

Putin noted that cooperation among Turkey, Iran and Russia led to the settlement of the conflict in Aleppo, describing the evacuation of Takfiri militants and civilians from the northern Syrian city “the largest international humanitarian action in the world.”

“We organized it and moved people in thousands and tens of thousands. Not only the armed radicals and their supporters, but also women and children,” he said.

Putin stated that other regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, could contribute to the Syria peace efforts, and the United States is also welcome to join in.

Envoy assassination attack on Russia-Turkey ties

Putin said that the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Ankara Andrei Karlov this week was "an attack on Russia-Turkey relations," stressing that the killing would not harm cooperation between the two nations.

He said the attack on the late Russian ambassador by an officer of the special service reflected the high level of "penetration of destructive forces" into the Turkish military and security forces.

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