Russia Ends Moratorium on Intermediate-Range Missile Deployment as US Tensions Escalate

Russia has announced the end of its moratorium on intermediate-range missile deployment, attributing the decision to rising tensions with the US and the perceived threat of American missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Russia has declared the end of its self-imposed ban on deploying intermediate-range missiles. This decision follows US President Donald Trump's directive to move two American nuclear submarines closer to Russia, heightening tensions between the nations. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated, "Russia does not consider itself anymore bound by self-restrictions on deploying intermediate- and shorter-range missiles INF as conditions to preserve this moratorium have disappeared."

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, established in 1987 between the US and the USSR, prohibited the deployment of certain missile systems with ranges between 500 and 5,500 km. However, the US exited this agreement in 2019. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed that its warnings about this issue have been ignored, leading to a potential deployment of US-made missiles in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Russia's Response to Western Actions

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the absence of conditions to maintain a unilateral moratorium on similar arms has led Russia to no longer feel bound by previous self-restrictions. The ministry highlighted that actions by Western countries in missile proliferation pose a direct threat to Russian security, necessitating a response from Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that Russia retains the freedom to deploy medium- and shorter-range missiles if needed. This decision is seen as a countermeasure against NATO's aggressive activities near Russia's borders.

US Military Movements

On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social about his order to redeploy US submarines due to provocative remarks by Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev, a former Russian President and current deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, allegedly made these statements, prompting Trump's military response.

The situation has escalated with both sides taking significant military steps. The Russian Foreign Ministry has emphasized that the disappearance of conditions for maintaining their moratorium justifies their latest actions.

As tensions rise, both nations appear poised for further strategic maneuvers. The global community watches closely as these developments unfold, impacting international relations and security dynamics.

With inputs from PTI