Moscow, Sep 10: The United States is trying to maintain its dominance in the world at any cost, using Ukraine in order to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

“We see that the United States is trying to maintain its global military and political dominance at any cost. With this purpose, by using Ukraine, it seeks to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia,” Putin said during his address at the opening of the active phase of the Ocean-2024 drills.

Washington openly declares plans to deploy medium-range and short-range missiles, including in the Asia-Pacific region, Putin added.

“Under the pretext of countering the allegedly existing Russian threat and deterring China, the United States and its satellites are increasing their military presence near Russia’s western borders — in the Arctic and in the Asia-Pacific region,” Putin said.

Washington seeks to achieve tangible military advantage and provokes an arms race, Putin concluded.

UNI