Putin threatens to restart production of mid-range nuclear weapons
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to resume production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons if the United States confirms plans to deploy missiles to Germany or other parts of Europe.
Speaking at a naval parade in Saint Petersburg, Putin stated that if the US proceeds with its missile deployment, Russia will consider itself freed from its unilateral moratorium on medium- and short-range strike capabilities.
Putin noted that Russia is nearing the final stages of developing several such missile systems. “We will take mirror measures in deploying them, taking into account the actions of the US, its satellites in Europe, and in other regions of the world,” he warned.
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These missiles, capable of traveling between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (300-3,400 miles), were previously restricted under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the US and the Soviet Union. However, both countries withdrew from the treaty in 2019, citing mutual accusations of violations.
Russia had pledged not to restart missile production unless the US deployed missiles abroad. Nevertheless, the recent announcement by Washington and Berlin to begin “episodic deployments” of long-range US missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, to Germany starting in 2026 has raised tensions.
Putin emphasized that such deployments would place important Russian administrative and military sites within a ten-minute strike range, potentially equipped with nuclear warheads. He also highlighted the deployment of US Typhon mid-range missile systems in Denmark and the Philippines during recent exercises.
“This situation reminds us of the events of the Cold War linked to the deployment of American Pershing medium-range missiles in Europe,” said Putin. The US had stationed Pershing ballistic missiles in West Germany during the 1980s, a period of heightened Cold War tensions. While the US reduced its missile presence in Europe after the Cold War, recent developments signal a return to those fraught times.
The Kremlin had earlier warned that the proposed US deployments would make European capitals targets for Russian missiles. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked, “We are taking steady steps towards the Cold War. All the attributes of the Cold War with direct confrontation are returning.”
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar Editor at Neptune Prime.
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