Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that military force is becoming the main tool for resolving foreign policy issues, therefore Russia is set to further develop its strategic nuclear forces, an UNIAN news agency news agency news agency news agency correspondent in Moscow reported.
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”Interstate relations are becoming increasingly strained. The struggle intensifies for resources and control over their transportation routes. Attempts by the West, led by the United States, to slow down the process of establishing a new and more equitable world order lead to an increasing chaos and anarchy, encountering rejection on the part of many countries,” Shoigu said, addressing the students of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations Tuesday.
”International organizations, designed to ensure global security, are unstable. Military force is becoming the main tool for solving international issues,” he said.
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Shoigu noted the threat of international terrorism as a major factor, adding that the extremists have been increasingly using information space to spread their ideas and recruit new members to the terrorist groups.
”In these circumstances, it is necessary to combine the efforts of state and public institutions for the promotion and protection of national interests, strengthening our country`s defenses. Our absolute priority in this area is the development of strategic nuclear forces. The fact that Russia has nuclear weapons at its disposal ensures guaranteed deterrence of aggression against it by any foreign state,” he said.
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Shoigu also said that a large-scale re-equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces with modern defense systems was underway. New nuclear submarines are being deployed, armed with hi-end ballistic and cruise missiles. Strategic Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers are being actively upgraded.
”This will allow until late 2020 to ensure a 90% share of modern weaponry in [Russia`s] strategic nuclear forces and up to 62% – in the Strategic Missile Forces,” said Shoigu, adding that this will discourage any potential aggressor from ”encroaching on the security of our country.”
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