Burevestnik Missile Test Will Not Worsen Russia–U.S. Relations, says Kremlin
TEHRAN — October 27: The Kremlin has downplayed concerns that Russia’s latest test of its Burevestnik nuclear-capable missile could further strain ties with the United States, insisting that relations between Moscow and Washington are already at their lowest point, according to Mehr News Agency.
“There is nothing here that could or should further strain relations between Moscow and Washington, especially since they are already at a minimum,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Sunday, according to TASS.
Peskov noted that only “tentative steps” have been taken to lift relations from what he described as a “state of stagnation.”
His remarks came a day after the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff reported to President Vladimir Putin that tests of the Burevestnik missile had been successfully completed at a nuclear testing facility.
The Burevestnik, sometimes referred to by NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, is a nuclear-powered, long-range cruise missile designed to fly at low altitudes for extended periods, making it harder for air defense systems to detect and intercept.
While U.S. officials have expressed concern about Moscow’s pursuit of advanced nuclear technologies, Peskov insisted the test should not influence diplomatic dynamics between the two countries.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated sharply since the start of the war in Ukraine. Despite earlier efforts to stabilize ties including attempts at dialogue during the Trump administration, the United States has continued to impose sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector and other key industries.
Moscow maintains that it will not yield to Western pressure. The Kremlin has repeatedly argued that Washington’s sanctions not only hinder prospects for normalization but also risk driving up global energy prices, ultimately hurting American consumers.
