Putin threatens to create short- and medium-range missiles – DW – 06/28/2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (28/06/2024) suggested the need to resume the production of short- and medium-range missiles in response to steps taken by the United States.

“Apparently, we need to start producing these attack systems and then, depending on the real situation, decide where to deploy them, if this is necessary to ensure our security,” the Kremlin chief said at a meeting with Security Council members on Russian security.

Putin said Washington a few years ago withdrew from the INF treaty under “fabricated pretexts” to eliminate short- and medium-range missiles.

“We announced in 2019 that we would not produce these missiles and would not deploy them if the United States did not do so in other regions,” the Russian President said.

At the same time, “today it is known that the United States not only produces these missile systems, but has already brought them to Europe for exercises,” he stressed.

“We have to react to that and decide how we move forward in this situation,” he stressed.

Last May, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow could boost its short- and medium-range missile program in response to “NATO’s increasingly aggressive actions.”

GS (EFE, AP, AFP)