Russian President Vladimir Putin called the US his nation’s top maritime threat in a new military doctrine released on Sunday.
Putin said on his country’s Navy Day in St. Petersburg that Russia wants to strengthen its grip on the seas and become a “great sea power”.
Earlier, Putin signed a 55-page naval doctrine outlining Russia’s designs.
The document identifies America as Russia’s main naval competitor because of “the strategic US policy of dominating the world’s oceans.”
He also stressed that the threat of NATO enlargement represents another threat on the high seas.
Putin declared that unless diplomacy and economic tactics proved effective in containing America’s power, Russia would use military force.
US officials have claimed that Putin and Russia are trying to militarize international waters to bolster their military credentials.
The doctrine emphasized the importance of the Arctic Ocean and said Russia will seek to deepen its position in the Black and Azov Seas.
Putin signed a 55-page naval doctrine outlining Russia’s plans © Mikhail Klimentyev/TASS via ZUMA Press
Putin noted that Russia expects the imminent delivery of new hypersonic missiles, capable of traveling at nine times the speed of sound.
In his remarks, he did not address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
With mail wires