LONDON (Reuters) – Denmark’s defense ministry on Saturday rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s accusations about medium-range missiles in Denmark after Moscow threatened to resume production of previously banned medium-range missiles, local media reported.
According to President Putin, the alleged medium-range missile will be used for military exercises.
“NATO is a defense alliance. Deterrence and defense are one of NATO’s main tasks, which is necessary given Russia’s aggressive nature,” according to a statement from the Danish Ministry of Defense.
“The exercises are an important part of the ongoing deterrence efforts. No medium-range missiles have been deployed in Denmark,” the ministry wrote to the Danish news agency Ritzau.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which bans the use of nuclear and conventional missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 km, was signed by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US President Ronald Reagan in 1988 .
However, the United States withdrew from the arms control treaty in 2019, citing Russia’s violations.
Last Saturday, Putin said Russia had not produced such missiles since the deal was signed.
“Today it became known that the United States not only produces three missile systems, but has already sold them to Europe for training, to Denmark. It was recently announced that the missile systems are in the Philippines,” Putin said at a meeting with the Russian National Security Council.
The Russian president threatened to start production of the system and that “based on the real situation”, Moscow will decide where to place the system, “if necessary to ensure our security”.
Source: Anadolu
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Translator: Katriana
Publisher: Atman Ahdiat
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