Putin declares the beginning of a nuclear arms race and promises to show new weapons
11 October 13:18
Russia has already entered a nuclear arms race with the world’s leading powers, including the United States, according to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. “I think that there is actually a certain race going on,” he said on October 10, speaking at a press conference following his visit to Tajikistan, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Putin added that against this background, Moscow is working on creating a new deterrent.
“I think we will have the opportunity to announce in the near future a new weapon that we have announced. It is being developed and tested. They are going well,” the dictator said.
According to him, this means that if the United States does not want to voluntarily extend the key arms control treaty, it will not be crucial for Russia. Russia’s nuclear deterrent potential is now higher than anywhere else in the world, Putin emphasized.
He also said that Moscow would conduct full-fledged nuclear tests if other countries started such exercises.
“Some countries are thinking about this (testing). As far as we know, they are even preparing. So I said that if they conduct [them], we will do the same,” he said. In the context of ensuring national security, such exercises are a positive measure, but in terms of actions to “if not reduce, then contain the arms race,” they are bad, Putin added.
In addition, Putin said that talk of a possible transfer of US Tomahawk long-range missiles to Kyiv is “an element of pontification.” But if this does happen, Russia will respond by strengthening its air defense, he warned.
on September 22, Putin proposed to continue to adhere to the restrictions on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty after its expiration on February 5, 2026, “so as not to provoke further strategic arms races.”
He also called on the United States to do the same. on October 6, President Donald Trump said that “it sounds like a good idea” to him, but did not provide details.
