US Threatens Russia with New Nuclear Missiles, Prepares New Sanctions for Putin

The rift between United States and Russia continues as the Pentagon threatens Russia with releasing nuclear missiles in lieu of the Moscow's violation. According to the US, the country is prepared to redeploy nuclear weapons as a means to keep Russia at bay following its breach of two arms control treaties. Meanwhile, the US Congress has been working on new sanctions for Vladimir Putin following decisions over Ukraine tension.

Putin and his administration have been in hot water since its move against Ukraine and other activities in the Baltic region. The US government appears unforgiving of the region's moves as it threatens Russia with nuclear missiles and new sanctions.

PressTV quote principal deputy undersecretary for policy at the Department of Defense Brian McKeon: "We don't have ground-launched cruise missiles in Europe now obviously because they're prohibited by the treaty."

However, the official did note: "But that would obviously be one option to explore." According to Washington, Moscow breached the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Russia denied the accusation and clarified that its ground-launched cruise missile last July followed the INF treaty.

President Barrack Obama has raised the violation issue with Russian president Vladimir Putin according to Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller. The Arms Control official also said that the US was thinking of pushing through with "military countermeasures" to emphasize the treaty breaches. Russia has been warned not to continue any cycle of action to prevent provoking other military counter measures.

On the other side of Washington, Yahoo reported US lawmakers working on another sanction concerning weapons companies in Russia. If the sanction will push through then it may also include measures on high-tech oil investments in the region. Just this Thursday, the Senate and House of Representatives agreed and passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act. The bill was sent back to the Senate following house panel changes. There should be a vote soon though President Obama has been opposed to this. The president clarified that he does not agree with additional sanctions unless Europe also agrees on them.

If the US president will agree on the sanction then companies like Rosoboronexport (arms exporter) will be affected. The bill pushes that these providers contribute to the rising tensions in Syria, Georgia and Ukraine.

McKeon further stated: "This violation will not go unanswered, because there is too much at stake."