{"id":44121,"date":"2018-10-25T18:47:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T18:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/25\/russia-threatens-response-to-huge-nato-exercise-says-its-new-weapons-will-be-unrivaled-anywhere\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:08:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:08:59","slug":"russia-threatens-response-to-huge-nato-exercise-says-its-new-weapons-will-be-unrivaled-anywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2018\/10\/25\/russia-threatens-response-to-huge-nato-exercise-says-its-new-weapons-will-be-unrivaled-anywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia threatens response to huge NATO exercise, says its new weapons will be unrivaled anywhere"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia<\/a> will commission new weapons that have no comparisons anywhere<\/a> in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His comments came as NATO\u2019s biggest military maneuvers<\/a> since the Cold War kicked off Thursday in Norway in a hypothetical scenario that involves restoring the Scandinavian country\u2019s sovereignty after an attack by a \u201cfictitious aggressor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at a meeting Thursday with top military officers and law enforcement officials, Putin said \u201cRussia doesn\u2019t threaten anyone and has strictly adhered to its obligations in the sphere of international security and arms control.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, he noted that Russian arsenals will be modernized<\/a> to ensure protection from any potential threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putin\u2019s statement also follows U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s announcement that he intends to opt out of a 1987 nuclear arms control pact<\/a> due to alleged Russian violations. Putin has denied any breaches and accused Washington of violating the pact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia, which shares a border with Norway, was briefed by NATO on the Trident Juncture 2018 drill and invited to monitor it, but Moscow is still angered by the exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia\u2019s defense minister had warned that Moscow could be forced to respond to increased NATO activity close to its western border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground right, toasts with top military officers and law enforcement officials in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. Putin said that Russia has adhered to its obligations in the arms control sphere, but noted that Russian arsenals will be modernized to ensure protection from any potential threats. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“NATO’s military activities near our borders have reached the highest level since the Cold War times,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday, noting that the war games will be “simulating offensive military action.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wargames bring together about 55,000 personnel from all 29 NATO allies, plus partners Finland and Sweden. About 65 vessels, 150 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles will participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\t