Russia has declared it no longer considers itself bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles. The move comes as tensions between Moscow and Washington rise again over Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry cited US plans to deploy Typhoon and Dark Eagle missiles in Germany, stating that such actions create “destabilizing missile potentials” near Russia.
President Vladimir Putin had previously announced plans to deploy new Oreshnik missiles on Belarusian territory later this year. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has the right to take steps if necessary, without specifying what measures might follow.
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s announcement that he’s ordering the repositioning of US nuclear submarines in response to provocative statements by Russian Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev. The INF treaty was abandoned in 2019, and its collapse has sparked fears of a new European missile crisis.
Russia’s Oreshnik missile can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and has a range to reach all of Europe. The move could potentially set the stage for a new arms race as tensions between Moscow and Washington escalate over Ukraine.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/russia-missile-intermediate-nuclear-putin-moratorium-5697b228999cf78b21784dba989c28c4