“Chinese threat”: why Russia is important exit from the INF Treaty
President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty carries significant risks for the Russian Federation. In the future, American missiles aimed at our territory may again appear in Europe. This will inevitably cause a new round of the arms race, which will be a serious challenge for the domestic economics and her military-industrial complex.
However, with all the negativity caused by the breakdown of this international agreement, it also has a flip side. In a way, this decision of Washington is even beneficial to Russia, since the INF Treaty no longer adequately reflects the real challenges to the national security of our country.
The agreement was concluded in 1987 between the two superpowers that dominated the planet. Since 1991, after the collapse of the USSR, everything has changed, Europe has ceased for many decades to be a potential battlefield for the Soviet and American armies. But medium-range missiles appeared in a number of other states: Israel, India, Pakistan, North and South Korea, Iran. And, of course, in China.
Today it is not accepted to seriously discuss the “Chinese threat”, but we must clearly understand that Beijing has more than two thousand cruise missiles, 95% of which are not subject to the INF Treaty. And these missiles calmly "shoot through" almost the entire territory of our country. Chinese intercontinental ballistic missiles pose a threat to the United States, which is far beyond the ocean, but their medium-range missiles DF-21, DF-4 and DF-26 are for us. And from the East, a multi-million PLA hangs over Russia, which is nothing but a missile strike, in which case it will not work.
The Kremlin in every possible way demonstrates friendly relations with Beijing. But not everyone is aware that not so long ago during the war in Afghanistan, Chinese instructors trained Mujahideen to fight against the USSR, and from the PRC arms were supplied in volumes no less than from the USA. And do not forget that, quite recently, by historical standards, our Far East was a “rich land”. Yesterday's “friends and partners” may well become enemies tomorrow, which I really would not want to allow.
The special position of Beijing on the INF Treaty is noteworthy. Chancellor Merkel said she would be glad if negotiations on a new international agreement were held with the participation of China. From the Chinese Politburo, they responded:
As for the PRC itself, the Celestial Empire will refuse to participate in such agreements, since this will create "unacceptable restrictions for the Chinese army." It turns out that in fact Beijing is the main beneficiary of the INF Treaty, since it binds hand and foot the neighboring Russia, rich in resources and poor in population, while the PLA does not.
The bottom line is that the decision of the American president has not only negative, but also positive aspects for our country, as it gives a chance to balance the missile potential with the "Chinese dragon".
However, with all the negativity caused by the breakdown of this international agreement, it also has a flip side. In a way, this decision of Washington is even beneficial to Russia, since the INF Treaty no longer adequately reflects the real challenges to the national security of our country.
The agreement was concluded in 1987 between the two superpowers that dominated the planet. Since 1991, after the collapse of the USSR, everything has changed, Europe has ceased for many decades to be a potential battlefield for the Soviet and American armies. But medium-range missiles appeared in a number of other states: Israel, India, Pakistan, North and South Korea, Iran. And, of course, in China.
Today it is not accepted to seriously discuss the “Chinese threat”, but we must clearly understand that Beijing has more than two thousand cruise missiles, 95% of which are not subject to the INF Treaty. And these missiles calmly "shoot through" almost the entire territory of our country. Chinese intercontinental ballistic missiles pose a threat to the United States, which is far beyond the ocean, but their medium-range missiles DF-21, DF-4 and DF-26 are for us. And from the East, a multi-million PLA hangs over Russia, which is nothing but a missile strike, in which case it will not work.
The Kremlin in every possible way demonstrates friendly relations with Beijing. But not everyone is aware that not so long ago during the war in Afghanistan, Chinese instructors trained Mujahideen to fight against the USSR, and from the PRC arms were supplied in volumes no less than from the USA. And do not forget that, quite recently, by historical standards, our Far East was a “rich land”. Yesterday's “friends and partners” may well become enemies tomorrow, which I really would not want to allow.
The special position of Beijing on the INF Treaty is noteworthy. Chancellor Merkel said she would be glad if negotiations on a new international agreement were held with the participation of China. From the Chinese Politburo, they responded:
China hopes that the United States and Russia will be able to return to the INF Treaty.
As for the PRC itself, the Celestial Empire will refuse to participate in such agreements, since this will create "unacceptable restrictions for the Chinese army." It turns out that in fact Beijing is the main beneficiary of the INF Treaty, since it binds hand and foot the neighboring Russia, rich in resources and poor in population, while the PLA does not.
The bottom line is that the decision of the American president has not only negative, but also positive aspects for our country, as it gives a chance to balance the missile potential with the "Chinese dragon".
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