• Dmitry Medvedev blames NATO for Russia's withdrawal from the missile moratorium.
• Moscow states it no longer feels bound by the INF treaty restrictions.
• U.S. President Trump has ordered nuclear submarines to reposition in response.

Russian former President Dmitry Medvedev has attributed Moscow's withdrawal from a moratorium on the deployment of short- and medium-range nuclear missiles to NATO's "anti-Russian policy." Medvedev, who is currently the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, stated, "This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps," following the Foreign Ministry's announcement that Russia "no longer considers itself bound" by previous self-restrictions under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The announcement reflects the ongoing deterioration of U.S.-Russia relations, especially after the U.S. withdrew from the INF treaty in 2019, citing Russian non-compliance, which Moscow has repeatedly denied. The INF treaty, signed in 1987, was instrumental in eliminating an entire class of nuclear weapons. The current geopolitical climate and the positioning of U.S. military assets in response to ongoing tensions further complicate the situation, as President Trump has ordered the repositioning of two American nuclear submarines "close to Russia" in reaction to Medvedev's warnings, reports Al Jazeera, TRT World, and Anadolu Agency.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia is taking a "responsible position" regarding nuclear issues and urges caution in nuclear rhetoric. "Russia is very attentive to the topic of nuclear non-proliferation. And of course, we believe that everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric," Peskov stated, highlighting the sensitivity of the current situation and the need for diplomatic care, according to Reuters and TRT World.