Russia Confirms Nuclear Missile Development During Moratorium, Lifts Deployment Freeze

Russia has confirmed that it continued the development of intermediate- and shorter-range nuclear-capable missile systems throughout a moratorium on their deployment, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stating that the pause applied only to deployment, not research and development. The Kremlin has now officially lifted this moratorium, allowing for the deployment of these missile systems as a response to actions taken by the United States and its allies, which Russia views as threatening. This development follows the collapse of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which the US exited in 2019 during President Trump's administration, citing alleged Russian violations that Moscow denies. Russian officials argue that Western breaches of arms control agreements and NATO's expansion have justified their strategic build-up to maintain parity or superiority. Russia also asserts that the US and its allies are moving toward deploying similar missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, prompting Moscow to discard any remaining restraint. The Russian leadership emphasizes that their missile advancement is a defensive measure against perceived Western militarism and interference in their strategic region.