Putin warns US against deploying long-range missiles in Europe


(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning to the United States on Sunday, stating that if it deployed long-range missiles in Germany or any part of Europe, Russia would respond by positioning similar missiles in strategic locations that would facilitate targeting the West. This declaration, which also included a threat to resume the production of medium-range nuclear weapons, was made during a Russian Navy Day ceremony in St. Petersburg. The event was attended by prominent officials, including Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Admiral Alexander Moiseev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.

Putin cautioned that the deployment of such missiles by the U.S. could reignite a Cold War-style missile crisis. He highlighted the significant threat posed by these missiles, noting that their flight time to Russian targets would be approximately 10 minutes and that they could potentially be equipped with nuclear warheads in the future. In response to this perceived threat, Putin asserted that Russia would take corresponding measures, reflecting the actions of the United States and its allies in Europe and other regions.

The Russian president further stated that if the U.S. proceeded with its missile deployment plans, Russia would feel justified in abandoning its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of medium- and short-range strike weapons. He emphasized that this would include bolstering the capacity of the Russian Navy's coastal forces. Putin also revealed that Moscow's development of these appropriate systems was nearing completion, underscoring the immediacy and seriousness of Russia's potential response.

Putin accused Washington of escalating tensions and pointed out the U.S. deployment of Typhoon missile systems to Denmark and the Philippines. He likened these plans to NATO's 1979 decision to deploy Pershing II launch systems in Western Europe, reiterating his earlier threat that Russia would resume the production of nuclear-capable intermediate- and short-range missiles. This rhetoric highlights the increasing strain in U.S.-Russia relations and the potential for a renewed arms race reminiscent of Cold War-era hostilities.

MENAFN29072024000045015682ID1108493878


MENAFN

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.