In his Thursday evening video address announcing the test of a new medium-range ballistic missile in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is prepared to use weapons against military targets of countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russia.
“The decision on our further deployment of medium- and short-range missiles will depend on the actions of the United States and its satellites,” Putin said. He continued:
We will determine the targets for strikes during future tests of our advanced missile systems based on threats to Russia’s security. We consider it our right to use our weapons against military facilities in countries that permit the use of their weapons against our facilities. And in the event of escalating aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and symmetrically.
Putin also urged the governments of countries “devising plans” to deploy their militaries against Russia to “think carefully.”
