Advertisement
Advertisement
Russia
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
The US had tested a conventionally-configured cruise missile that hit its target after more than 500km of flight. Photo: AFP

Russia’s Vladimir Putin vows ‘reciprocal response’ to US cruise missile test

  • US talk of deploying new missiles in the Asia-Pacific region affects our core interests, the president said
  • The Pentagon said it had tested a cruise missile that hit its target after more than 500km of flight
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday told the Defence Ministry and other government agencies to analyse the threat posed by a new US missile test and to prepare a reciprocal response.
The Pentagon said on Monday it had tested a conventionally-configured cruise missile that hit its target after more than 500km (310 miles) of flight, the first such test since the US pulled out of a major arms control treaty with Russia on August 2.
Putin told his Security Council that Russia could not stand idly by, and that US talk of deploying new missiles in the Asia-Pacific region “affects our core interests as it is close to Russia’s borders”.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said this month he was in favour of placing ground-launched intermediate-range missiles in Asia relatively soon.

New arms race fears as China and Russia blast US over missile test

“We have never wanted, do not want and will not be drawn into a costly, economically destructive arms race. That said, in the light of unfolding circumstances, I’m ordering the Defence Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and other appropriate agencies to analyse the threat to our country posed by US actions, and to take exhaustive measures to prepare a reciprocal response,” he said.

Putin said Sunday’s launch of the nuclear-capable Tomahawk missile with a MK-41 launcher confirmed prior suspicions that the US had planned to place banned weapons in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

He said Moscow was against placement of the launchers in Poland in Romania, but Washington denied they could be used to launch Tomahawks.

“Now the fact of the violation is clear, and it’s useless to deny it,” the president said. “The question is, how do we know what will be placed in Romania and Poland?”

Despite his order, Putin said Russia remained open to talks with the US aimed at restoring trust and strengthening international security.

The US has said it has no imminent plans to deploy new land-based missiles in Europe.

Post