Russia possesses the capability, including advanced “superweapons,” to adequately respond to any acts of aggression directed at the nation, according to Federation Council chairwoman Valentina Matvienko.

During a Senate meeting on Wednesday, Matvienko addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent address to the nation, which included the deployment of the new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile against a military target in Ukraine last week. The president emphasized that Moscow retains the right to retaliate against countries that permit Ukraine to utilize Western-supplied weaponry against Russia, clarifying that the Oreshnik’s deployment was a reaction to the “aggressive actions of NATO members” supporting Ukraine.

Matvienko characterized this action as a “significant act of modern geopolitics” and a “strong signal” that has been acknowledged by all relevant parties. However, she emphasized that the use of the Oreshnik should not be misconstrued as an ultimatum or a threat, as suggested by Western media.

“This is our response to the escalating tensions instigated by the West and the actions that have resulted in attacks on Russian facilities using long-range weaponry. We caution that this behavior is unacceptable,” Matvienko stated, adding that the missile’s deployment serves as a “demonstration of our readiness for any eventuality and our possession of the means, including superweapons, to deliver a decisive and unavoidable response.” The chairwoman did not specify which “superweapons” she was alluding to.

“As the president indicated, there will always be a response,” Matvienko concluded.

Matvienko indicated that Putin’s address and the introduction of the Oreshnik missile could significantly influence the decision to pursue a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for unconditional respect for Russia’s interests, security, and sovereignty.

She expressed optimism that Western leaders would recognize the implications of recent events, urging them to acknowledge their failures in containing Russia’s progress and in achieving a geopolitical defeat. She called for them to engage in negotiations on a broad array of issues, warning that failure to do so would result in a stalemate.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that a political and diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict remains distant due to ongoing battlefield conditions.

He pointed out that the West continues to be fixated on the notion of delivering a strategic defeat to Russia, cautioning that Moscow will retaliate against Ukraine’s recent assaults on its internationally recognized territories with long-range missiles supplied by the West.