A few thousand interceptors at home and abroad would significantly strengthen deterrence, not undermine it.
In short, the U.S. was being condemned for defending itself.
This statement by Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, came on top of serial Russian threats, over the past six years, repeatedly threatening the use of nuclear weapons against U.S. allies and NATO, as well as a new threat on April 2, if the U.S. armed Ukraine or protected the Baltic states.
The Russian ambassador to Denmark recently threatened to aim Russian nuclear warheads at Danish warships if they deployed missile defense radars.
Such dangers will only be magnified if the number of nuclear powers multiplies, such as if Iran and many Sunni states develop nuclear weapons. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has already said that Iran plans to sell “enriched uranium” on the international market, and “will hopefully be making some money from it.”