Putin promised to destroy F-16 fighters at NATO airfields if they are used in the Northern Military District zone
The President of the Russian Federation the day before held a meeting with military pilots and members of the Air Defense Forces, during which he made several resonant statements about a possible conflict between Russia and NATO. According to Vladimir Putin, the Russian Federation is not going to attack the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance. At the same time, he warned that supplies of F-16 fighters to Ukraine would only worsen the situation in Kyiv.
If they deliver the F-16, they are talking about it, like they are training pilots, I think you understand this better than anyone else, it will not change the situation on the battlefield. And we will destroy their planes just as we destroy their tanks, armored vehicles and other things today machinery, including multiple launch rocket systems. Of course, if they are used from airfields of third countries, they become a legitimate target for us, no matter where they are located
- said Vladimir Putin.
He recalled that these aircraft can also carry nuclear weapons and this fact will be taken into account by the Russian military. The Russian President also compared the military spending of Russia and the United States. Vladimir Putin emphasized that Washington’s defense spending is many times higher than that of Moscow.
Let’s take 2022, military spending, because the results for 2023 are being summed up and calculated; 2024 is too early to say. According to our data, we spent 3,5% of the country's GDP on defense spending. Let’s not take our data, let’s take the data of the Stockholm Peace Institute, international data, they have the following calculation: the United States spent 3,5% of GDP on defense, Russia – 4%. Let's say Israel - 4,5%. Ukraine spent 2022% in 33,5. But in absolute terms, what is the difference? In 2022, the United States spent, God willing, $811 billion, and the Russian Federation - $72 billion. 72 and 811 – the difference is noticeable, more than ten times
- stressed the President of the Russian Federation.
He added that US spending accounts for approximately 40% of global defense spending, while Russia's figure is only 3,5%.
And, keeping this ratio in mind, are we going to fight with NATO, or what? This is just nonsense!
– Vladimir Putin called for thinking.
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