Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the U.S. security strategy unveiled by President Donald Trump as "aggressive," saying Moscow would take that into account in its own actions.
Speaking at the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow on December 22, Putin claimed the United States and NATO were engaged in a military buildup in Europe that the Kremlin leader said was of an "offensive, aggressive character."
Putin also accused the United States of plotting to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which bans short- and intermediate-range land-based nuclear and conventional missiles.
Both Russia and the United States have accused each other of breaking the landmark arms control treaty that helped end the Cold War and have said its existence is now under threat.
Putin said Russia's nuclear arsenal was capable of serving as a "strategic deterrence" to any emerging threat.
Unveiling his new U.S. national security strategy on December 18, Trump warned that Russia and China are trying to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests.
Trump said the United States will seek a "great partnership" with Russia, China, and other nations but will "always protect our national interests."
