Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has promised to “take similar measures” if the United States goes ahead with plans to station long-range hypersonic missiles in Germany, claiming that the move would free Russia from a moratorium on the deployment of long-range lethal weapons.
Putin said at a naval parade in St. Petersburg on Sunday that Russia could deploy the missiles in response to a U.S. announcement earlier this month that it would demonstrate its commitment to NATO and European defence by stationing them in Germany from 2026.
“If the United States implements such plans, we will be relieved of the unilateral moratorium imposed so far on the deployment of medium- and short-range offensive weapons, including on strengthening the capabilities of our Navy’s coastal forces,” Putin said.
He also claimed that Moscow was in the final stages of developing such a system.
Ground-based medium-range weapons had been banned for decades, following a 1987 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.
But the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2019, alleging that Russia had conducted missile tests that violated U.S. principles – an allegation Russia denied.
Since then, and particularly in recent weeks, both sides have appeared more open to deploying nuclear weapons, even as it evokes chilling memories of the Cold War.
The U.S. military has Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, “Development of hypersonic weaponsSome of the missiles have a much longer range than those already deployed in Europe, a joint statement from Washington and Berlin said.
Putin has long denounced such deployments as an aggressive move aimed at weakening Moscow’s own capabilities.
Last week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the Kremlin was not ruling out deploying new nuclear missiles.
Most of Russia’s missile systems can be equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads.
Russia is particularly focused on defending its highly militarized exclave of Kaliningrad, which lies between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
With post wire.
