The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 nearly plunged the world into nuclear war. That fear is now returning as Russia and the United States are once again threatening to deploy missiles near each other's territories. Russian President Vladimir Putin made it incredibly clear in an announcement to the public that the Russian military is ready for another Cuban Missile crisis if the United States wants it.
Putin made his remarks in response to the United States alleged plans of deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe. Washington has also alleged that Russia initiated the first violation of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and has threatened to withdraw from the agreement if Russia does not end its actions.
The Russian president mentioned in his announcement that he will be deploying hypersonic missiles on board ships and submarines around US territorial waters if the United States goes through with its plans. He also detailed how they will be able to strike the United States much faster with its current missile technology. Putin pointed out that unlike land-based missile launchers, Russia's ships and submarines will not be stationary, and the US will have to find them first before they can destroy them.
In response to Putin's statement, the US State Department declared it as nothing but propaganda to divert attention from the underlying issue. The department asserts that Russia was the first to violate the INF treaty. The agreement indicates that both the United States and Russia are not allowed to deploy short- and intermediate-range land-based missiles in Europe. The Pentagon has revealed that it currently has an unarmed OC-135B aircraft on an observation flight over Russia, which is allowed under the Open Skies Treaty. Russia is reportedly aware of the unmanned aircraft flying over its country.
Analysts have surmised that Putin may just be making it clear to the United States that they capable of an equal response if the country does make a move. Putin may also be trying to dissuade the United States from even considering placing missiles in Europe, which could start another nuclear arms race between both countries. The United States has mentioned that it apparently does not have any ground-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles. However, it could develop and build them without any issues if the treaty does collapse. During his speech, Putin mentioned that Russia does not want to deploy any nuclear missiles and that it does not want to have a confrontation similar to the 1960s Cuban Missile Crisis.
