Ryabkov did not rule out Russia's deployment of missiles in Asia in case of a similar move by the US

Russia's deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in Asia is one of the options for Moscow 's response to similar actions by the United States. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters on November 25.

"Undoubtedly, this is one of the options that have been repeatedly mentioned. The appearance of the relevant US systems in any region of the world will predetermine our further steps, including in the sphere of organizing military and military-technical response," he said, answering a relevant question.

According to the diplomat, practice shows that entreaties and arguments against the enemy do not have the proper effect. There is a need for "more potent means" like deployment of such systems as a compensatory measure, Ryabkov emphasized.

At the same time, the deputy minister noted that at the same time, attempts to convey the arguments of the Russian side on this issue can continue.

The day before, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said that NATO was supplying strike weapons to Asia , which are prohibited by the treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles (INF Treaty ). This vector of development has led to a "sharp surge in militarization" of the region, the diplomat specified.

Earlier, on November 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out that NATO was extending its influence to the Asia-Pacific region under the guise of ensuring the security of its members. In the same month, the minister drew attention to the fact that the U.S. continues to introduce NATO infrastructure into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized back in September that the weapons the US deploys in Asia pose a threat to China and the Russian Federation.

In April, it became known that the US had deployed medium-range missiles in the Philippines. In September, U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Warmuth said that the United States was interested in deploying land-based medium- and short-range missiles in Japan. At the time, Ryabkov warned that Russia would give a comprehensive military-technical response if such plans by Washington were realized.