Putin slams ‘little pig’ Starmer as Russia deploys missiles that could hit UK in minutes | World | News
Vladimir Putin branded British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer a “little pig” and openly discussed Russia’s missile deployment within striking distance of the UK. Speaking at the annual Russian defense ministry meeting, the Russian leader accused former US President Joe Biden of “consciously” starting the war in Ukraine, then added that the “little European pigs” immediately supported the Americans.
Putin said, “Everyone thought they would destroy and destroy Russia in a short time.” “And the European piglets also immediately joined in helping the old American administration in this task. They hoped to profit from the collapse of our country. To try to take back and take revenge on what was lost in previous historical periods. As everyone now sees clearly. All these attempts and all these destructive plans against Russia completely failed.” The comments were made just a day before a key meeting of EU leaders is due to be held to secure a funding deal for Ukraine.
“Russia has demonstrated its stability in the economy, finance and the internal political situation of society […] and in the field of defense capacity,” Putin said, adding that his country was ready for dialogue with Europe, but this was not possible with the current leaders of the continent.
The Russian leader also confirmed that the Oreshnik missile system will be deployed to Belarus within days, and that the system will be just minutes from London. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this move is not to threaten Ukraine, but the main target is European capitals.
The system will be located just 124 miles from Lithuania and the nearest NATO border, significantly reducing flight time across the EU compared to launches from Russian territory.
The head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, said: “The deployment of Oreshnik on Belarusian territory is primarily a means of pressure on the EU and NATO, and not on Ukraine. This move will allow Russia to expand its capabilities to strike the capital of any European country and significantly reduce the flight time of the missile compared to its launch from the Kapustin Yar test site.”
Ivashchenko added that Russia and Belarus are currently building military facilities for the system, including launch facilities as well as surveillance and communications infrastructure. However, these preparations have not been completed yet.
Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka announced on October 31 that the Oreshnik missile system is planned to be deployed for combat duty this month.
During his speech, Putin praised the Russian army, saying that “no one in the world” has an army as good as Russia’s and that it now has “combat experience.”
Politicians at the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday (18 December) are set to discuss EU plans to use frozen Russian assets to help finance a loan to Ukraine. Russia currently has around £185bn of assets stuck in European financial institutions.
