Russia announced that its self-imposed moratorium on deploying intermediate- and shorter-range missiles is coming to an end, accusing the United States and its allies of failing to reciprocate Moscow’s restraint.
Speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said the decision was compelled by “new and notably acute missile threats” posed by the West. “We have explicitly and straightforwardly declared that the implementation of our previously introduced unilateral moratorium on placing ground-launched INF missiles is approaching its logical endpoint,” Ryabkov stated.
Ryabkov pointed to what he described as accelerating U.S. military efforts to expand the deployment of such weapons. “Practical steps undertaken by the U.S. military in implementing their respective programs convince us that such activity will only intensify,” he said.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed in 1987 between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The landmark treaty was credited with significantly reducing nuclear tensions in Europe. However, the U.S. formally withdrew from the agreement in 2019, citing Russian violations—allegations Moscow denies.
Since the treaty’s collapse, Russia had maintained a unilateral moratorium on deploying such missile systems in Europe, urging NATO to do the same. Ryabkov said this gesture of restraint had not been appreciated or matched by the West.
He added that the “specific parameters” of Russia’s military response will be determined by its armed forces and national leadership.
The move is expected to raise concerns in European capitals already wary of growing security risks on the continent amid heightened East-West tensions.
Read next
18:00
China and Myanmar
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing exchanged congratulatory messages on Sunday to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation and mutual support.
17:34
chovqan
The final match of the European Chovqan Championship, organized by the International Chovqan Federation, was held in Poland from June 5 to 7, 2025. In a historic victory, the Azerbaijan national team was crowned European champion for the first time.
16:00
AI study
A new artificial intelligence analysis has dated many of the Dead Sea Scrolls as significantly older than previously believed, potentially reshaping the timeline of early Jewish history and biblical authorship.
15:00
TikTok
President Donald Trump is preparing to extend the federal deadline for TikTok’s U.S. ban for a third time, as the June 19 cutoff approaches with no finalized deal in sight, according to government officials.
14:48
GameSummit 2025
The Caspian coast transformed into a hub for gaming, tech, and pop culture this weekend as GameSummit 2025 kicked off in Baku, bringing together developers, esports players, cosplayers, and tech enthusiasts for the region’s largest gaming and innovation festival.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment