Putin holds urgent meeting to respond to US 'post-INF' threat: Europe 'shakes'
Yesterday, August 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the National Security Council after the US made threats about testing new missiles at some bases and testing grounds in Europe.
Mr Putin affirmed that Moscow will not abandon its obligations to ensure regional security regardless of the existence of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. However, Russia affirmed that it will "not sit idly by and be intimidated" and is not satisfied with the "peaceful intentions" of the US and its allies.
"If any intermediate-range strike missiles are brought to Europe, Moscow affirms that this will be considered an act of igniting an endless arms race. Russia will join that race and affirms that it will not be afraid, Russia has ready options for a period without the INF initiated by the United States," Mr. Putin said.
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| Kinzhal missile equipped on Russian fighter jets will soon have a ground-launched versiont |
According to him, Russia will counter potential threats arising from the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty with cruise missile systems and missiles such as the Kh-101, Kinzhal and Kalibr...
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| The US accused Russia of seriously violating the INF with the Novator 9M729 missile. |
Previously, on August 2, the US officially withdrew from the INF Treaty - which binds Russia and the US not to develop or deploy missiles capable of carrying nuclear or non-nuclear warheads with a range of 500 - 5,000km. This agreement has protected Europe from a tense arms race since 1987 until now.
However, when the US wanted to end the INF, this put Europe at risk of becoming a battlefield between both Russia and the US.
