Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday said that the United States’ decision to build new missiles is “extremely dangerous.”
“This is an extremely dangerous intention … to get involved in an arms race, building up the corresponding potential of weapons,” Peskov said, according to CNN. “I repeat, this will make the world more dangerous.”
{mosads}Trump said Monday that the U.S. would build out its nuclear arsenal now that it has withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia.
Critics of the agreement have argued that the treaty only stops the U.S. from arming itself, not its enemies.
U.S. officials have said that Russia has repeatedly violated the treaty, which Russia denies.
The treaty’s defenders, such as Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), argue that it is necessary to stop an arms race and nuclear build up in Russia.
“[Trump] is very much on the [same] page with Putin and his announcement that we’re going to withdraw from the INF is yet another, in my view, gift to Putin,” Hirono told CNN’s “Situation Room” Tuesday night.
Russia has expressed ire with America’s move, calling it a form of “blackmail” and “dangerous stance.”
The Kremlin has threatened to “restore balance” if the U.S. completes its withdrawal and begins building new weapons.
White House national security adviser John Bolton confirmed to Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday that the U.S. will withdraw from the INF.