On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there is need for the manufacture of intercontinental missiles, a type of weaponry that had been banned by an agreement with the US which is no longer in effect.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1988 banned land-based nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (310 and 3,410 miles), which was considered one of the most important arms control achievements.
However, Russia violated this treaty leading to its withdrawal by America in 2019.
Speaking during an emergency meeting of Russia’s security council, Vladimir Putin declared: “We need to start production of these strike systems and then depending on the real situation, place them somewhere if it really becomes necessary for our own safety”.
He added that ever since when the treaty was shelved in 2019 up to now Russia has not produced such missiles but America on its part has already set up these missile systems both right here in Europe as well as Denmark where they have been used for training purposes and Philippines where they are planned to be deployed.
Since ending the pact, US officials have tested weapons that would have been banned under INF. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported in April citing Pacific commander Gen. Charles Flynn as saying such a weapon will be dispatched in the region by year-end being a first deployment since termination of the treaty.
The collapsing of INF treaty marked another stage towards deterioration of relations between two countries – USA and Russia.
New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) can save us – it limits each side to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and bombs plus 700 delivery vehicles. It expires in 2026 but arms control advocates raised alarm about absent talks over any follow-on deal.
This statement from Vladimir Putin comes against a backdrop of increased tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine crisis and fears of prospective nuclear strikes.
Putin addressed executives from international news organizations in June where he commented about Russia’s use of nuclear weapons: “We have a nuclear doctrine, look what it says. If someone’s actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible for us to use all means at our disposal. This should not be taken lightly, superficially.”
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