Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, also bragged that his country had the upper hand over the US if nuclear war was declared. Putin said: “The current tensions are not a reason to ratchet up confrontation to the levels of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s. “In any case, that’s not what we want.
“If someone wants that, well OK. They are welcome.”
According to Newsweek, Putin made the remarks during a state of the nation address.
He explained exactly what a Russian attack against the US would look like before warning Moscow would react if Washington moves missiles close to the country.
The Cuban Missile Crisis saw a standoff between the US and Soviet Union during a decade where nuclear war was a genuine fear.
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The 13-day confrontation both sides directed ballistic missiles at each other.
The US deployed missiles in Turkey and Italy, with Russia deploying missiles in Cuba.
The Kremlin reported that Putin advised the nation Russia would be able to deploy supersonic weapons on ships before sending them into neutral waters.
He said: “We can put them, given the speed and range, in neutral waters.
Putin added: “Russia does not intend to deploy such missiles in Europe first.
“If they really are built and delivered to the European continent, and the US has plans for this, at least we have not heard otherwise, it will dramatically exacerbate the international security situation, and create a serious threat to Russia, because some of these missiles can reach Moscow in just 10 to 12 minutes.
“This is a very serious threat to us. In this case, we will be forced – I would like to emphasise this – we will be forced to respond with mirror or asymmetric actions.”