Putin calls on Russia to stay ahead of the West in armaments, not just respond to its challenges

Vladimir Putin has said that Russia must not simply respond to the West’s challenges but must stay ahead of it — including in the area of armaments.

The president made the statement at a meeting with military personnel participating in the special military operation.

“We of course need not just to respond to the challenges they formulate and present in the form of corresponding types of weapons in the fight against us. We need to be one step ahead,” Putin said.

In this way, the Russian president outlined a fundamental position: the issue is not one of retaliatory measures, but of a proactive approach in the confrontation with the West.