MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The Russian authorities are keeping a close eye on US R&D work on developing new weapon systems, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"We are actually keeping a close watch on Washington’s actions with regard to the development of new weapon systems," he said.

It was the R&D work on developing intermediate-and shorter-range missiles in violation of the former Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty "that was the cause of the dismantling of this very important document from the viewpoint of international security," the Russian presidential spokesman said.

Russia has no intention of being drawn into a new arms race, although the Kremlin fears its new round, the Kremlin spokesman said.

"The Kremlin fears a new spiral in the arms race," Peskov said. "At the same time, I would like to remind you of President Putin’s words that Russia will not be drawn in that potential arms race, because it laid the groundwork for years to come in terms of technological superiority to ensure our country’s security and to ensure parity."

US President Donald Trump stated on Monday, replying to reporters’ questions that the United States had armaments, which no one could even imagine. The US leader also said that the United States was developing and renewing nuclear armaments. At the same time, Trump said he hoped that the United States would never have to use its latest submarines.

On August 2, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was officially terminated at the US initiative. The US claimed that its actions were provoked by Russia’s refusal to comply with the American ultimatum-like demand to eliminate the new 9M729 cruise missiles, which, as Washington and its NATO allies believe, violate the INF Treaty. Moscow rejected these accusations, saying that the technical parameters of the 9M729 missiles were within the characteristics allowed by the treaty and laying counterclaims to Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave instructions on August 23 to analyze the threat level in the wake of the US tests of a new cruise missile modification on August 18 and prepare a symmetric response.