Scripture for Today, 2-26-19: Wars & Rumors - Russia's Pres Putin Responds

Source Newsweek here

"IF ... the US Deploys Medium & Short Range Missiles in Europe ... THEN Russia Will Target the USA" -- Vladimir Putin
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"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good...For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared...While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."​

1 Thessalonians 5:21, Titus 1:10; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:13
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World Leaders Aren't Always Truthful 
Is Vladimir Putin Truthful About INF Treaty?
Has President Trump Been Given Factual Information About Russia?

2-6-19, Newsweek -- In recent days the U.S. and Russia have suspended their 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty banning land-based missiles with ranges from 310 to 3,420 miles following Washington's accusations that Moscow violated the deal with its new Novator 9M729 missile [here] and here

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On February 20, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Federation Council; he covered three main topics:

1. Demographic problems, increasing life expectancy, creating jobs, and boosting pensions, stressing that it is the state's role to help people, and extricate them from difficult situations in their lives. He said, "We must not repeat the mistakes of the past decades and wait for communism to arrive."
2. Sovereignty. He said, "Russia has been and always will be a sovereign and independent state. This is a given. It will either be that, or will simply cease to exist. We must clearly understand this. Without sovereignty, Russia cannot be a state. Some countries can do this, but not Russia."
3. The Unilateral Withdrawal Of The US From The INF Treaty. He said: "The unilateral withdrawal of the US from the INF Treaty is the most urgent and most discussed issue in Russian-American relations. This is why I am compelled to talk about it in more detail. Indeed, serious changes have taken place in the world since the Treaty was signed in 1987. Many countries have developed and continue to develop these weapons, but not Russia or the US – we have limited ourselves in this respect, of our own free will. Understandably, this state of affairs raises questions.
   

• Our American partners should have just said so honestly rather than make far-fetched accusations against Russia to justify their unilateral withdrawal from the Treaty. "It would have been better if they had done what they did in 2002 when they walked away from the ABM Treaty and did so openly and honestly. Whether that was good or bad is another matter. I think it was bad, but they did it and that is that. They should have done the same thing this time, too. What are they doing in reality?
  • First, they violate everything, then they look for excuses and appoint a guilty party.
  • But they are also mobilizing their satellites that are cautious but still make noises in support of the US.
  • At first, the Americans began developing and using medium-range missiles, calling them discretionary 'target missiles' for missile defense.
  • Then they began deploying Mk-41 universal launch systems that can make offensive combat use of Tomahawk medium-range cruise missiles possible. "I am talking about this and using my time and yours because we have to respond to the accusations that are leveled at us. But having done everything I have just described, the Americans openly and blatantly ignored the provisions envisaged by articles 4 and 6 of the INF Treaty.
    • According to Item 1, Article VI (I am quoting): 'Each Party shall eliminate all intermediate-range missiles and the launchers of such missiles… so that… no such missiles, launchers… shall be possessed by either party.' Paragraph 1 of Article VI provides that (and I quote) 'upon entry into force of the Treaty and thereafter, neither Party may produce or flight-test any intermediate-range missile, or produce any stages or launchers of such missiles.' End of quote.
      "Using medium-range target missiles and deploying launchers in Romania and Poland that are fit for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, the US has openly violated these clauses of the Treaty. They did this some time ago. These launchers are already stationed in Romania and nothing happens. It seems that nothing is happening. This is even strange. This is not at all strange for us, but people should be able to see and understand it.
  • "How are we evaluating the situation in this context? I have already said this and I want to repeat:
    • Russia does not intend – this is very important, I am repeating this on purpose – Russia does not intend to deploy such missiles in Europe first.
    • If they really are built and delivered to the European continent, and the United States has plans for this, at least we have not heard otherwise, it will dramatically exacerbate the international security situation, and create a serious threat to Russia, because some of these missiles can reach Moscow in just 10–12 minutes.
    • This is a very serious threat to us. In this case, we will be forced, I would like to emphasize this, we will be forced to respond with mirror or asymmetric actions.
    • What does this mean? "I am saying this directly and openly now, so that no one can blame us later, so that it will be clear to everyone in advance what is being said here.
    • Russia will be forced to create and deploy weapons that can be used not only in the areas we are directly threatened from, but also in areas that contain decision-making centers for the missile systems threatening us.
    • "What is important in this regard? There is some new information. These weapons will fully correspond to the threats directed against Russia in their technical specifications, including flight times to these decision-making centers.
    • "We know how to do this and will implement these plans immediately, as soon as the threats to us become real. I do not think we need any further, irresponsible exacerbation of the current international situation. We do not want this. [..snip]
    • "In this context, I would like to make an important statement. We did not announce it before, but today we can say that as soon as this spring the first nuclear-powered submarine carrying this unmanned vehicle will be launched. The work is going as planned..." Full speech here

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End Times Wars & Rumors of War
​Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9