Nuclear arsenal; NATO condemns Russia
Indicating that nuclear arsenal will be enhanced, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would put more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles into service this year as apart of a wide-reaching programme to modernise the country's military.
Mr Putin said the weapons would be able to overcome even the most technically advanced anti-missile defence systems.
The move comes after the US proposed increasing its military presence in Nato states in Eastern Europe.
Tensions are high over Russia's role in the conflict-ridden eastern Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the statement from Mr Putin was "confirming the pattern and behaviour of Russia over a period of time - we have seen Russia is investing more in defence in general and in its nuclear capability in particular".
"This nuclear sabre-rattling of Russia is unjustified, it's destabilising and it's dangerous,” he said.
US Secretary of State John Kerry also expressed concern over President Putin's announcement, saying the decision was in contravention of the Start agreement designed to destroy nuclear weapons in the former territories of the Soviet Union.
"It could well be posturing with respect to negotiations because of their concerns about military moves being made by NATO itself," he said.
Following Mr Stoltenberg's comments, Mr Putin said that Russia would be forced to aim its armed forces at any countries that might threaten it.
NATO and Western leaders accuse Russia of sending soldiers and heavy weapons, including tanks and missiles, to the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Sources say that Russia has increased its defence spending substantially under Vladimir Putin, and is in the midst of a massive modernisation programme.
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