The Facts

• Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed to deploy previously banned long-range missiles close to Western countries if the US goes through with its plan to station similar long-range, nuclear-capable missiles in Germany in 2026.

• Speaking at a naval parade in St Petersburg, Putin said if the US goes forward with the move, Russia would take "mirror measures," adding that "we will consider ourselves free" from its self-imposed moratorium on such weapons — in reference to the 1987 US-Soviet treaty that the US pulled out of in 2019.

• Putin's remarks followed the July 11 announcement from the US that it will station Tomahawk cruise, SM-6 and hypersonic missiles in Germany from 2026. Such weapons would've been banned under the 1987 treaty and the announcement triggered a diplomatic furore in the halls of Moscow and Washington not seen since the Cold War.