On Monday, Russia declared that it will no longer adhere to voluntary restrictions on the placement of short- and medium-range nuclear missiles. This decision is largely a response to actions by the US and its allies, who are allegedly advancing similar weapons systems in Europe and Asia.
As stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, “With repeated warnings being ignored,” the current development of US-made ground-launched intermediate-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region has led them to conclude that the conditions for maintaining a unilateral moratorium on similar deployments are no longer viable.
The ministry further noted that it no longer recognizes the self-imposed restraint it had previously instituted.
Russia had initially banned such medium-range missiles in 2019, following the US’s exit from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
However, the Foreign Ministry did not provide specifics about when or where Russia might deploy these missiles.
“Decisions about the specifics of response measures will be based on interagency assessments of the deployment of ground-launched intermediate-range missiles by the United States and other Western nations, as well as Russian leadership considerations regarding overall international security and strategic stability,” the statement elaborated.
This announcement follows remarks from President Trump, who mentioned that US troops are relocating two nuclear submarines to Russia in reaction to a “very provocative statement” made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now vice-chairman of Russia’s Security Council.
Medvedev has consistently criticized US foreign policy and is seen as a provocateur, although his actual influence within the government is considered limited.
Interestingly, this Russian development comes after Trump recently reached a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine and shortened a deadline related to talks aimed at brokered peace.
During a discussion with Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky on Tuesday, Trump aimed to evaluate the situation on the ground and discuss potential sanctions on Russia, alongside joint efforts with European nations to provide more arms to Ukraine.
“We also talked about defense cooperation with the United States. The draft agreement on drones has been prepared by the Ukrainian side, and we are prepared to go into detail on that,” I mentioned in a social media update on platform X.
Looking ahead, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkov, is scheduled to visit Russia this week. He has indicated that this could be the Kremlin’s “last chance” to come to a peace agreement before sanctions from Washington take effect.
Trump mentioned that Witkov “may go” to Russia either Wednesday or Thursday.
