Putin "Russia can lift restrictions on missile deployment against US"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia could also lift restrictions on missile deployment against the U.S. missile deployment.

Putin held a meeting with defense officials on the 16th local time and said he was "worriedly watching the United States develop and deploy short- and medium-range missiles."

"If the United States deploys such missiles, Russia will lift all restrictions it has voluntarily set regarding its missile deployment," he warned.

In addition, the West is pushing Russia to a "red line" and argued that Russia has no choice but to respond.

Putin also stressed that Russia's nuclear weapons are a deterrent, saying Russian forces have captured 189 settlements in Ukraine this year.