“It (the plan) directly envisages a significant strengthening of the American nuclear arsenal and means for conducting combat operations in space, including the development and deployment of space-based interception systems,” Zakharova told reporters at a news briefing in Moscow.
“We consider this as another confirmation of the US focus on turning space into an arena of armed confrontation … and the deployment of weapons there.
“The indicated US approaches will not contribute to reducing tensions or improving the situation in the strategic sphere, including creating a basis for a fruitful dialogue on strategic offensive arms,” she said.
The White House’s Iron Dome statement did not refer to strengthening the US nuclear arsenal, but said:
“The Iron Dome will further the goals of peace through strength. By empowering the United States with a second-strike capability, the Iron Dome will deter adversaries from attacks on the homeland.”
Trump and Putin have both said they would like to meet face-to-face to discuss a range of issues, including the Ukraine war, but Moscow says it has yet to receive any signals from the US on when and where such an encounter could take place.
