Russian President Vladimir V. Putin recently announced the production of new intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles, raising concerns of potential deployment near NATO nations in Europe and American allies in Asia. While Putin’s threat lacked specifics, he blamed the United States for similar actions and indicated openness to negotiations. This development comes amidst major elections in Britain and France and ahead of the 75th NATO summit in Washington.
This announcement follows the U.S. withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over accusations of Russian violations, marking the end of traditional nuclear arms control. The only remaining treaty, New START, expires in 2026. Putin’s decision to announce new intermediate weapons now is notable, given the opportunity to do so in the past five years.
The Pentagon has made moves to deploy modified weapons in Asia to counter China’s nuclear force, but no such weapons have been redeployed in Europe. Putin’s motivation may stem from recent American actions in Ukraine, including lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to fire American-supplied weapons into Russian territory in response to Russia’s aggression.
Putin’s use of nuclear threats to gain leverage in conflicts, such as the invasion of Ukraine and interception of messages about a potential battlefield nuclear detonation in 2022, highlights his strategic approach to international affairs. This latest declaration adds to a pattern of Russian escalation and defiance of previous arms control agreements.
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