MOSCOW. Oct 26 (Interfax) - The proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding medium-range and shorter-range missiles is a new initiative, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
"This is a new initiative of the president," Peskov told journalists on Monday in response to a question whether the proposal was discussed with foreign partners or if Moscow made it public for the first time and is awaiting an answer.
Putin said that Russia is ready to refrain from deploying 9M729 missiles in the European part of the country in exchange for reciprocal steps from NATO.
He also said that Russia will not deploy new medium-range and shorter-range missiles as long as the United States acts likewise.
The proposal was made in Putin's statement on additional measures toward the de-escalation of tensions in Europe following the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.