MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) - The threat of intermediate- and shorter-range missile proliferation created by the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has enhanced global tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Russian Security Council on Friday.
"The U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty under a far-fetched pretext dealt a serious blow to the arms control system. The threat of proliferation of missiles of this class in various parts of the world has escalated global tensions even further," Putin said.
Under these circumstances, Russia should make a relevant and precise forecast and analysis of possible changes in the international situation and develop its military potential on the basis of these conclusions, he said.
"I'll point out that we have done a lot over recent years for quality strengthening of all defense and law enforcement agencies. The fulfillment of decisions made at the Russian Security Council meeting on July 5, 2013, has contributed to that," Putin said, noting that Russia updated its military doctrine on that date.