Russia has confirmed that the country’s missile tests and possible withdrawal from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe treaty are direct responses to the U.S. plans to deploy an anti-missile shield in Poland and Czech Republic.

Speaking in Moscow Russia’s President Vladimir Putin confirmed this: “Our partners, our American partners, have pulled out from the ABM Treaty. We have informed them that we would take certain steps in a bid to preserve the strategic balance in the world. It is vitally important for preserving the universal peace. Yesterday we tested a new ballistic missile; we have also tested a new cruise missile. We will continue improving our abilities, but I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it was not us, who initiated the new arms race,” said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.