VIDEO: Russia Will Not Engage in Arms Race, Says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has conducted exercises for the nuclear deterrent strategic forces. He emphasized that Russia will not engage in a new arms race, but will maintain its nuclear forces at the necessary level. This is reported by RIA Novosti.

“Today we are conducting another exercise of the strategic (nuclear) forces for deterrence, during which we will develop the actions of officials in controlling the use of nuclear weapons through practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles,” he said.

Putin highlighted that the use of nuclear weapons is an extreme measure to ensure the country's security. He stated that this is Moscow's principled position.

“However, at the same time, it is the nuclear triad that continues to remain a reliable guarantor of Russia's sovereignty and security, allowing us to tackle the issues of strategic deterrence while maintaining nuclear parity and a balance of power in the world. I want to emphasize that we are not going to get embroiled in a new arms race, but we will maintain our nuclear forces at an adequate level,” the state leader noted.

Putin stressed that the growing tensions in the world and the emergence of new external threats demonstrate the importance of possessing modern strategic deterrent forces and keeping them ready for combat use at all times. Therefore, Moscow will continue to improve all their components, the Russian president emphasized, adding that the country has the resources to do so.