Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov (L), pictured here with Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Monday, "Such measures can make the world more dangerous,” in response to news that the U.S. would abandon the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. | Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Defense Kremlin: Russia will 'restore balance' with new missiles if U.S. pulls out of treaty

A Kremlin spokesman said Monday that Russia would retaliate by developing new missiles "to restore balance" of military power if the United States pulls out of a Cold War-era missile treaty.

President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. would abandon the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, accusing Russia of breaching the agreement, which bans land-based, mid-range missiles.


“It means that the United States is not disguising, but is openly starting to develop these systems in the future, and if these systems are being developed, then actions are necessary from other countries, in this case Russia, to restore balance in this sphere,” Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, according to Reuters.

“This is a question of strategic security. Such measures can make the world more dangerous,” Peskov also said, according to the Reuters report.

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Terminating the treaty, enacted by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, would raise the possibility of an escalating arms race at a time when Russia's military has grown increasingly aggressive in its region.

Russia has has denied claims that it violated the treaty and accused the U.S. of undermining the agreement. Peskov said Moscow expects a detailed explanation from Washington on its withdrawal decision.

Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton is expected to meet with senior officials in Moscow on Monday and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.