President Vladimir Putin signed a new naval doctrine on Sunday that casts the United States as Russia’s main rival and sets out Russia’s global maritime ambitions in key regions such as the Arctic and the Black Sea, Reuters and Agerpres reported.

Speaking on the occasion of the Day of the Russian Navy in the former imperial capital of St. Petersburg, founded by Tsar Peter the First, Putin praised Peter for making Russia a great maritime power and raising the authority of the Russian state in the world.

After reviewing the navy, Putin gave a short speech in which he promised the delivery of what he said were unique hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles, warning that Russia had the military power to defeat any potential aggressor.

Shortly before the speech, he signed a new 55-page naval doctrine that sets out the overall strategic goals of the Russian navy, including its ambitions as a “maritime great power” that extends across the globe.

“Comprehensive strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical positions in the Black and Azov seas”

The main threat to Russia, as stated in the doctrine, is the “strategic policy of the United States to dominate the world ocean” and the proximity of the NATO military alliance to Russia’s borders.

Russia can use its military power according to the situation in the world ocean when other “soft” powers, such as diplomatic and economic instruments, are exhausted, the doctrine says.

Putin did not mention the conflict in Ukraine during his speech, but the military doctrine provides for “comprehensive strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical positions” in the Black and Azov Seas, Reuters notes.

It also identifies the Arctic Ocean, which the United States has repeatedly said Russia is trying to militarize, as an area of ​​particular importance to Russia.

Russia’s vast coastline of 37,650 km, stretching from the Sea of ​​Japan to the White Sea, also includes the Black and Caspian Seas.

• Read also: When the Russian Navy will receive the new “only in the world” hypersonic missiles “Zirkon”. Putin said this

Putin also said that the delivery of hypersonic cruise missiles “Zirkon” to the frigate “Admiral Gorshkov” will begin in a few months. According to him, the place of their deployment will depend on the interests of Russia.

“The key here is the capability of the Russian Navy (…). To be able to respond quickly to anyone who decides to violate our sovereignty and freedom,” he said.

Hypersonic weapons can fly at nine times the speed of sound, and last year Russia conducted test launches of Zircon missiles from warships and submarines.

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