(VOVworld) - Russia does not want to enter a costly new arms race with the United States. The statement was released Wednesday, one day after President Vladimir Putin decided to increase its nuclear arsenal in 2015.

Yury Ushakov, Putin's top foreign policy aide, told a press briefing that Russia was trying to cope with potential threats to national security with some measures but not an arms race.

He added that in principle, Russia is against any arms race because it would weaken Russia’s economy. Yury Ushakov declined to comment on the possibility of a direct armed conflict between Russia and the West.

Dimitry Peskov, press spokesman for President Putin, accused NATO on Wednesday of encroaching its borders and seeking to change the strategic balance of power, which would prompt Moscow to take necessary steps to protect its interests and security.