Russia is considering the possibility of deploying missiles in Asia.
Russia is considering the possibility of deploying missiles in Asia, similar to what the US has done.
According to RIA Novosti, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that Russia is considering the possibility of deploying medium- and short-range missiles in Asia if similar US systems appear there.
"Of course, this is one of the options that has been discussed many times," Deputy Minister Ryabkov said.
The Russian diplomat stressed that Russia's adversaries and allies should not feel safe or complacent.
"It has come to the point where some arguments could be used to persuade, but reality shows that they do not yield the desired results. Therefore, more powerful means are needed, including the deployment of similar systems, which can hit relevant targets and serve as a countermeasure," Deputy Minister Ryabkov noted.
He added that, regarding the latest Oreshnik medium-range missile, Russia's current international obligations do not impose any restrictions on its potential deployment, including the misguided move by the US administration to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
According to the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, the fate of Russia's unilateral ban on deploying medium- and short-range missiles depends entirely on the next actions of the US administration.
"With any escalation scenario, if it begins to materialize, then further escalation scenarios will be a direct consequence of the reckless, and arguably inhumane, policies pursued by the US and leading European countries," Ryabkov emphasized.
On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the country's forces had tested one of its newest Oreshnik missile systems in response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on targets in Kursk and Bryansk using US and British ATACMS and Storm Shadow long-range missiles.
