MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. Moscow is constantly improving its hypersonic strike systems, which were created in response to the West’s actions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Tucker Carlson published on the US journalist’s website.

"We created hypersonic systems with intercontinental range, and we continue to develop them. We are now ahead of everyone, the United States and the other countries in terms of the development of hypersonic strike systems. And we are improving them every day," he pointed out.

Putin recalled his initiative to create a common missile defense system for Russia, the US and Europe, which was rejected by Washington. "It was right then when I said, ‘Look, but then we will be forced to take countermeasures. We will create such strike systems that will certainly overcome missile defense systems.’ The answer was, ‘We are not doing this against you, and you do what you want. Assuming that it is not against us, not against the United States.’ I said, ‘Okay’," Putin said.

According to him, after that, Russia created hypersonic weapons. He stressed that Moscow had not rejected the idea of a common missile defense system. "We proposed to go the other way and we were pushed back," the president noted.