Putin accuses the West of pushing Russia to “red lines” forcing it to respond via Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday accused the West of pushing Russia into “red lines” – conditions he has publicly declared he will not tolerate – and said Moscow was forced to respond.

Putin told a meeting of defense officials that Russia is watching the US development and deployment of short- and medium-range missiles with concern.

He said Russia would lift all of its voluntary restrictions on its missile deployments if the US went ahead and deployed such missiles.

Putin, who said Russian forces in Ukraine had taken control of 189 settlements so far this year, said Russia’s nuclear weapons were there to stop it.

(This story has been reposted to correct an error in section 1)