On Monday, Russia warned that it might consider deploying intermediate- and short-range missiles in Asia as a countermeasure to U.S. actions.
According to TASS and RIA Novosti, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov responded to reporters’ questions about the possibility of Russia deploying intermediate—and short-range missiles in Asian countries. He confirmed that this is indeed one of the potential options that Russia has repeatedly mentioned.
He emphasized, “Our further steps, including in what concerns our military-technical response, will depend on the deployment of corresponding US systems in any region of the world.” Russia has recently accused the U.S. of moving to deploy intermediate- and short-range missiles in Asia, warning it might respond in kind.
As tensions with the West escalate, Russia has been strengthening its relationships with several Asian countries. It has formed military ties with North Korea and recently conducted joint naval exercises with China and Indonesia. Additionally, Russia maintains close relations with Vietnam and Thailand, both of which are exploring membership in the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Ryabkov warned that states opposing Russia should not be complacent, cautioning that the current methods of persuasion and arguments have largely been ineffective. He argued that stronger measures are necessary, including deploying systems in strategic locations that could serve as compensatory measures and reach specific targets.
Ryabkov also commented last Thursday on Russia’s new intermediate-range ballistic missile, Oreshnik, used in attacks against Ukraine, emphasizing that there are no international restrictions on its deployment. He explained that while the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union restricted the production and deployment of intermediate- and short-range missiles, these restrictions were lifted after the U.S. withdrew from the treaty in 2019.
However, Ryabkov noted that the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the U.S. on missile launch notifications remains valid, so Russia informed the U.S. before test-firing the Oreshnik missile.
He further clarified that the deployment of Oreshnik has no connection to the New START treaty, which primarily limits strategic nuclear warheads, as Russia has suspended its participation in the agreement.
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