MOSCOW-President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military on Friday to work out a response after testing a new American missile banned under a now-defunct weapons Treaty.

“Now it is undeniable,” the Russian leader said.

He added that the missile test, which was conducted just 16 days after the termination of the INF Treaty, showed that the US had long begun work on new systems prohibited by the Treaty.

Although Putin did not specify possible retaliatory measures, some Moscow military experts said Russia could adapt sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles for use from land-based launchers.

“We will not be drawn into a costly arms race that will have catastrophic consequences for our economy,” Putin said, adding that Russia ranks seventh in military spending after the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Japan.

He added that Russia remains open to ” an equal and constructive dialogue with the United States to restore mutual trust and strengthen international security.”

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