Russia will increase missile manufacturing warns Russian President

Moscow: Three weeks ago, the United States gave Russia a period of 60 days to comply with the terms of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. But the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov claimed that this period is just an eyewash and the United States has already withdrawn from the INF. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin had warned that if the United States withdrew from the INF, Russia would undertake manufacture of missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload.

In October, US President Donald Trump announced withdrawal from the INF treaty with Russia. Trump justified his decision by saying that the treaty signed by the then presidents of both the countries is obsolete and the United States cannot sit pretty when China and Russia are increasing the number of nuclear weapons. After that, at the beginning of this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Russia of knowingly trampling the provisions of the treaty and had given a period of 60 days to Russia to comply with the provisions.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ryabkov blamed the United States of having already withdrawn from the treaty while talking to a local newspaper. Ryabkov said that a senior official informed him that President Trump has already withdrawn from the treaty. Ryabkov accused the United States of not being ready for talks regarding the treaty and creating a new missile crisis. The Russia Deputy Foreign Minister also warned that if the United States deployed missiles in Europe following the withdrawal from the INF, Russia would surely retaliate.

A few hours before the statement of the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, the Russian President announced the development of new missiles. Putin declared that if the United States backed out of this historical treaty, Russia would start manufacture of medium-range missiles. The Russian President announced increasing the penetration power of the Kalibr and KH-101 missiles. The Russian President also warned that the Kinzhal hypersonic missile would be used as a surface to air missile.

Former Russian military officials and analysts welcomed the Russian President’s announcements. But concerns are being expressed that these announcements will make the relations between the United States and Russia very critical and will also start a new arms race between the two countries. Some analysts have claimed that the arms race has already begun.