Russia closely watching the US missile deployment in Europe and Asia-

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that ‘Russia will be closely following the missile deployment of the United States, who withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Russia will specifically be more vigilant regarding the US missile deployment in Europe and Asia-Pacific Sector.’ President Putin also declared that Russia is ahead of the United States in the development of hypersonic missiles.

President Putin criticised the United States, who withdrew from the historic INF treaty, during the annual press conference of the Russian defence ministry by stating, ‘The United States scrapped the INF treaty this year. Russia will have to be more alert henceforth, as the United States has withdrawn from the treaty imposing restrictions on the deployment of the ballistic and nuclear-capable missiles. Russia will have to keep track of where these missiles are deployed.’

President Putin claimed that ‘The United States had started deployment of its missiles even before scrapping the treaty. henceforth, the extent of US missile deployment will increase.’ The Russian President has warned that Russia will be keeping track of the missiles deployed in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, posing a direct threat to Russia interests. Also, Russia will increase its nuclear and missile capabilities until a new treaty is signed.

President Putin also disclosed the strength of the Russian military. He claimed that the Russian Zircon hypersonic missile is ready for deployment. The United States had taken the lead over Russia in weapons development and preparedness during the cold war days. Putin has stated that henceforth, Russia, will stay ahead of the United States.