Russia has warned of escalating tensions with the United States over Washington’s plans to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles (INF) in Germany and the Philippines.
Russian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, expressed serious concern on Thursday, describing the move as a destabilising shift in global power dynamics.
Speaking at a plenary session of the UN Conference on Disarmament, Gatilov accused the US of deliberately attempting to alter the balance of power in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in its favour.
The Russian envoy pointed out that the plans follow the US’s controversial withdrawal from the INF Treaty in 2019, a move that had already raised alarms in Moscow.
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“It is clear that after the groundless withdrawal from the INF Treaty in 2019, the US is pushing to radically change the balance of power in Europe and the Asia-Pacific,” Gatilov said. He further warned that the deployment of INF missiles in regions like Germany and the Philippines would compel Russia to reconsider its moratorium on deploying similar systems abroad.
The INF Treaty, signed in 1987, had banned the development and possession of ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 620 and 3,420 miles. However, the US withdrew from the agreement in 2019, accusing Russia of non-compliance. In retaliation, Russia suspended its participation in the treaty.
Gatilov cautioned that the US’s latest plans could lead to Russia abandoning its previous commitment to avoid deploying such weapons in countries outside its borders. “This will nullify our country’s goodwill moratorium,” he said, further intensifying the growing nuclear tensions between the two powers.
As the US looks to position itself strategically in key regions, Russia’s concerns signal a potential clash that could destabilise both European and Asia-Pacific security frameworks. The situation continues to develop as both sides prepare for possible military and diplomatic responses.
