Vladimir Putin threatens to resume production of intermediate nuclear weapons

Vladimir Putin this Sunday, July 28, threatened to resume production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons in response to America’s desire to station missiles in Germany or elsewhere in Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin this Sunday, July 28, threatened to resume production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons if the United States confirms its intention to station missiles in Germany or elsewhere in Europe.

“If the United States implements such plans, we will get rid of the previously accepted unilateral ban on deploying medium- and short-range strike capabilities,” Vladimir Putin said during a naval parade event in St. Petersburg. .

This type of weapon, with a range of 500 to 5,500 km, was once the subject of a limited treaty between Washington and Moscow, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), signed during the Soviet Union.

Russia and the United States withdrew from the deal in 2019, accusing each of not respecting its provisions. However, Moscow has announced that it will not resume production of this type of missile until the United States deploys it overseas.

However, Washington and Berlin announced in July their intention to begin “episodic deployments of long-range fire capabilities” in Germany by 2026, citing SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk missiles and hypersonic weapons.

“This situation is reminiscent of the events of the Cold War”

“The main Russian bases of the administration and the military will be within the range of these missiles (…) these missiles, which may be equipped with nuclear weapons in the future, will have a flight time of about 10 minutes to our territories,” Vladimir Putin explained this Sunday.

“This situation is reminiscent of the events of the Cold War, which was associated with the deployment of American medium-range Pershing missiles in Europe,” the Kremlin leader continued.

The Kremlin had already warned in mid-July that European capitals would become legitimate targets for Russia if US missiles were stationed on the continent.

The Russian president was speaking at the annual parade of the Russian Navy in St. Petersburg, which this year included Chinese, Indian and Algerian ships.