Russia says it may be ‘forced’ to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe

Moscow says that it may be forced to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe ‘in response to’ NATO’s plans to do the same.

Deputy FM Sergei Ryabkov made the statement on Monday. 

Ryabkov said Russia would be forced to act if the West declined to join it in a moratorium on intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) in Europe – part of a package of security guarantees it is seeking as the price for defusing the crisis over Ukraine, Reuters cited the Russian official as saying. 

Last week Russia called on NATO to break its promise given to Georgia and Ukraine at the 2008 Bucharest summit on future membership.