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The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that Russia “no longer has any restrictions” on deploying previously-banned conventional and nuclear missiles. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated that Russia no longer sees itself as limited by these types of weapons. He added, “Russia considers itself entitled to take appropriate measures if necessary.”
Moscow’s Foreign Ministry had earlier announced it no longer considers itself bound by previous restrictions on U.S. and Russian missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This restriction was part of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed in 1987 by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
The INF Treaty is no longer in force and does not bind either state. The U.S. formally left the treaty in mid-2019 during Donald Trump’s first term, accusing Russia of breaching its terms with the development of the SSC-8 missile. NATO also accused Russia of violating the treaty, which Moscow denied.
In August 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles would be delivered to Belarus by the end of 2025. These missiles were tested in central Ukraine in November 2024 and could violate the INF moratorium if deployed in numbers.
The U.S. has already begun deploying its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, which includes Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of around 1,000 miles. During recent joint military drills, soldiers tested Precision Strike Missiles with an advertised range over 499 kilometers.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S. and its allies have openly outlined plans to deploy American ground-based intermediate-range missiles in various regions and are making significant progress in their practical implementation.
Alberque noted that Russia is “way ahead” in deploying missiles forbidden under the Cold War-era INF treaty, while Peskov distanced the Kremlin from Medvedev’s hawkish comments about NATO’s anti-Russian policy.
What Happens Next
U.S. President Donald Trump shortened his 50-day ceasefire deadline to August 8 after no progress was seen despite months of U.S. efforts. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, is expected to visit Moscow later that week, although it remains unclear whether any progress toward a ceasefire will be made.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the passage, what significant change did Russia announce regarding its conventional and nuclear missiles?
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