US places missiles in Europe, Putin declares there will be effective response measures

"We will not turn a blind eye to the cruise missiles deployed by the United States in Europe and their direct threat to Russia's security. We will have to take effective response measures. However, as a responsible country, Russia has no intention of entering a new arms race,"Sputnikquoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying yesterday.

The Kremlin chief revealed that Moscow had proposed to Washington a number of solutions to maintain the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in December. President Putin said Russia was ready to have serious discussions with the US on strategic issues.

If the US withdraws from the INF, it will be allowed to deploy short- and medium-range missiles in Europe, including Tomahawk cruise missiles. Russia believes that the Mk. 41 vertical launchers of the Aegis Ashore system that the US has deployed in Poland and Romania can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 km, reaching many areas deep inside Russian territory.

"It seems that Washington is trying to dismantle the global system of arms control agreements, or to comply only with those provisions that serve its interests. The announcement of withdrawal from the INF is just a part of this chain of activities," Putin added.

The Russian President urged Western countries to engage in dialogue based on international law, affirming that this is the key to maintaining world peace and regional stability. He said that the current tense situation is a consequence of unilateral actions by the US and its allies, causing "an atmosphere of confrontation and mutual distrust".