Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that Russia should respond to United States actions by resuming the production, and even deployment, of intermediate-range strike systems.
"Today it is known that the US not only produces these missile systems, but has already brought them to Europe for exercises - to Denmark, and just recently it was announced that they are in the Philippines," Putin said at a meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council. "Apparently, we need to start production of these strike systems and then, based on the real situation, make decisions about where - if necessary to ensure our security - to deploy them."
An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) has a range of 3,000–5,500 km. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty controlled the production of these missiles for many years. However, former President Donald Trump announced in October 2018 that he withdrew the United States from the treaty due to Russian non-compliance.
