The Russian president said the US missile defence sites in Romania containing interceptor missiles could also house ground-to-ground intermediate-range cruise missiles, which would be in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
He told the military officials that both the US and NATO have been “accelerating build-up of infrastructure in Europe” and emphasised that the deployment of NATO forces near Russia’s borders had threatened its security.
He said: “When we move military units on our own territory, they present it as some kind of a threat.”
“And when they move military bases, infrastructure and new weapons near our borders they present it as something normal. It’s probably normal for those who do it, but not for us.”
NATO has deployed military units to Poland and the Baltics to reassure allies worried over Russia’s intentions following its 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and its support for pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Mr Putin mentioned NATO’s US-led missile defence system and efforts to develop new prospective conventional weapons among other security challenges.
He added: “They are searching for some violations on our part while consistently infringing on it themselves. All that seriously affects security in Europe and in the whole world.”
Mr Putin accused the US of violating a landmark Cold War-era nuclear arms pact and harbouring aggressive intentions, and pledged to fend off any potential threats.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that a massive arms modernization program has allowed the military to commission 182 intercontinental ballistic missiles, over 1,000 aircraft, more than 3,200 tanks and other armored vehicles and more than 150 navy ships over the past five years.
He said that the military gained “priceless” experience during the Syrian campaign, with more than 48,000 servicemen spending shifts there.
He said up to 90 percent of all Russian combat pilots flew at least 100 combat sorties each to the total of 34,000 missions in Syria since the start of the Russian air campaign in September 2015.
Mr Shoigu said that the military has killed over 60,000 militants, including 2,840 Russian citizens during its campaign in Syria.
Mr Putin, who, visited the Hemeimeem air base earlier this month, said today that the campaign has demonstrated an enhanced capability of the Russian armed forces.
He said: “The situation in Syria and the military-political situation in the world have proven the timeliness of our decisions to strengthen the army and the navy.”