The world is facing a rising threat of a nuclear war because of the US pullout from arms control treaties and its destabilising military plans, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
Speaking at his annual news conference, Putin warned that "it could lead to the destruction.
of civilization as a whole and maybe even our planet." The Russian leader added that even though a nuclear conflict now seems impossible to most, the danger is close and real.
"We are witnessing the breakup of the arms control system," he said.
He pointed at Washington's intention to walk away from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and its reluctance to negotiate the extension of the 2010 New START agreement.
US officials say the withdrawal from the INF was prompted by Russian violations of the treaty, but Moscow vehemently denies any breaches.
"We will have to ensure our security," Putin said during the news conference that lasted nearly four hours.
"And they shouldn't squeak later about us gaining unilateral advantages. We aren't seeking advantages, we are trying to preserve the balance and ensure our security."
"You aren't interested? You don't need it? OK, we will survive," he said. "We will ensure our security; we know how to do it. But it will be very bad for the whole of humankind, because it would take us to a very dangerous area."