The Russian Federation may be preparing for the open deployment of medium- and shorter-range missiles, as evidenced by statements by its officials and signalling possible preparations for a conflict with NATO. This is stated in a new analytical report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts point to the statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who hinted at the end of Russia’s “unilateral moratorium” on the deployment of ground-based missiles prohibited by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
“This moratorium is approaching its logical conclusion,” Ryabkov said, accusing the West of “lack of reciprocity”.
The ISW reminds that the United States withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019 due to violations by Russia, which developed and tested the 9M729 missile, which contradicts the provisions of the agreement. Moscow stopped participating in the treaty only in response to Washington’s actions.
Analysts believe that Ryabkov’s rhetoric is part of a broader Kremlin information campaign aimed at shaping the image of Russia as a “responsible actor” seeking de-escalation. At the same time, the West and NATO are presented as the main threat.
“Such statements may be evidence of Russia’s real preparations for a future war with NATO,” ISW experts conclude.
