Vladimir Putin says Russia will target weapons at the US should it deploy new intermediate-range missiles in Europe following America's withdrawal from a key arms control pact.
The US repeatedly accused Russia of violating the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty by developing banned weapons and earlier this month Donald Trump said Washington was starting a process to withdraw from the deal.
But speaking today, Putin said this was based on 'far-fetched accusations' and that Russia would have to deploy missiles targeting 'decision-making centres' if new US missiles are sent to Europe.
He also warned that Russia will commission a new hypersonic missile for its navy.
The 66-year-old, facing an unprecedented fall in his approval ratings, made the remarks during his first address to both houses of parliament since he was elected to a fourth presidential term a year ago, extending his long rule until 2024.
Vladimir Putin has warned of 'reciprocal measures if the US deploys missiles' as he delivered his annual state of the nation address this morning
He said Russia was not seeking confrontation and would not take the first step to deploy missiles in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
But he said that Russia's reaction to any deployment would be resolute and that U.S. policy-makers should calculate the risks before taking any steps.
In his speech this morning Putin accused America of using 'far-fetched accusations' to withdraw from the Cold War-era treaty and warned new Russian weapons will target the US if it deploys missiles to Europe.
Signed in 1987 towards the end of the Cold War by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the treaty bans ground-launched missiles with a range of between 315 miles to 3,415 miles.
The deal resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals, but put no restrictions on other major military actors such as China.
'Our American partners should have been honest... and not use far-fetched accusations against Russia to justify their unilateral withdrawal from the treaty,' he said of the deal, during his annual state of the nation address.
Last year, Putin used the address to unveil a new arsenal of weapons in a nearly two-hour speech that stunned the West and many in Russia.
Speaking two weeks before his re-election, Putin promised Russians higher standards of living and hailed Moscow's military might as relations with the West reached post-Cold War lows.
After the speech he enjoyed his highest approval rating since he came to power in 1999.
The 66-year-old, facing an unprecedented fall in his approval ratings, is making his first address to both houses of parliament since he was elected to a fourth presidential term a year ago, extending his long rule until 2024
But a year on, Putin has seen his popularity slide against a backdrop of economic problems.
A hugely unpopular reform raising the retirement age that Putin signed into law in October led to a major dip in his support.
A survey by Russia's independent Levada Center released in January found his approval rating at 64 per cent, the lowest since before Moscow's annexation of Crimea five years ago.
Another Levada poll in October found only 40 percent of Russians would vote for Putin if an election were held.
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News Photo Putin promises 'reciprocal measures' after America tore up arms treaty
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