Moscow, Russia – The Russian government announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing from its commitment to not deploy short- and medium-range nuclear missiles. This significant move reverses a policy Russia had voluntarily maintained, escalating concerns about global arms control and international stability. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow stated that the decision was a direct response to what it described as an aggressive "anti-Russian policy" being pursued by the NATO alliance.
Former Russian President and current top security official, Dmitry Medvedev, delivered a stark warning in connection with the announcement. He indicated that this was a necessary reaction to the actions of the United States and its allies and suggested that further retaliatory measures could be on the horizon. His strong rhetoric adds to a recent and tense exchange of words with U.S. President Donald Trump, which has heightened diplomatic friction between the two nuclear powers.
This development does not come in a vacuum. The United States had previously withdrawn from the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019, a move that dismantled one of the cornerstones of Cold War-era arms control. According to Russia's Foreign Ministry, the deployment of American missile systems in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region following the treaty's collapse forced Moscow to reassess its own security posture and abandon its moratorium.
The situation has been further complicated by recent military maneuvers. Following the sharp words from Medvedev, President Trump reportedly ordered the repositioning of two American nuclear submarines, signaling Washington's serious approach to the ongoing dispute. This strategic posturing by both sides highlights the fragile state of relations and the potential for rapid escalation.
Despite the gravity of the announcement and the heated rhetoric from figures like Medvedev, the Kremlin has also attempted to project a sense of calm. Officials have publicly stated that they do not wish to engage in a public dispute over nuclear capabilities and have urged for caution and a de-escalation of inflammatory language.
This entire episode unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The United States is currently threatening to impose new and tougher sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire agreement is not reached soon. Russia's latest missile policy decision is therefore seen by many international observers as another point of leverage and a signal of its resolve in the face of mounting Western pressure.