MOSCOW, Nov 20: President Vladimir Putin warned Nato against “muscle-flexing” on Russia’s border on Tuesday and ordered top generals to raise the combat readiness of the country’s nuclear missiles.

Meanwhile, the armed forces chief of staff, General Yury Baluyevsky, also confirmed that Russia would suspend adherence to a key Cold War arms treaty on Dec 12, news agencies reported.

“In violation of previous agreements, certain member countries of the NATO alliance are increasing their resources next to our borders,” Putin told a meeting of defence chiefs in Moscow in comments broadcast on state television.

“Russia cannot remain indifferent to the clear muscle-flexing,” he said.

The Kremlin leader, who earlier this year threatened to target nuclear missiles at Europe, said he wanted the atomic arsenal put on a higher level of readiness.

“One of the most important tasks remains raising the combat readiness of the strategic nuclear forces. They should be ready to deliver a quick and adequate reply to any aggressor,” Interfax quoted him as saying.

Baluyevsky told the meeting of top brass that Russia would “certainly” suspend its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty on Dec 12.

“We will certainly fulfil this ruling exactly on time,” Baluyevsky was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying, following a vote in parliament to suspend application of the CFE.

However, Putin left the door open to Russia resuming participation, saying Moscow will “re-examine the possibility of renewing its obligations after our partners join the adapted treaty and, more importantly, implement it”. —AFP