Moscow is forced to react to the emergence of "new and tangible" missile threats, and the decision on the specific parameters of such a response depends on the Russian leadership. This was stated in an interview with TASS by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Russia's moratorium on the deployment of medium- and shorter-range missiles (INF) is approaching its logical end, and the West did not appreciate Moscow's restraint, the diplomat said.
The Deputy Minister noted that the US under President Donald Trump intends to intensify its activities on the deployment of medium- and shorter-range missiles. "Currently, we do not see any fundamental changes or reversals in the US plans for the further deployment of medium- and shorter-range ground-based missiles in various regions of the world. On the contrary, the practical steps taken by the US military to implement the relevant program convince us that such activities will only increase. Our position on this issue has been expressed repeatedly and in all the necessary details," he said.
“The reality is that the restraint shown by Russia was not appreciated by the US and its allies and did not receive a reciprocal response. As a result, we openly and directly stated that the implementation of the unilateral moratorium on the deployment of INF ground-based missiles introduced by us earlier is approaching its logical end,“ the deputy minister continued.