Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he has ordered the military to prepare a "symmetric response" after Washington announced this week it had tested a formerly banned missile.

Putin orders Russian military to prepare 'symmetric response' after US missile test

A new international treaty, replacing the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) which ends on Friday, should include China, Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas said, but added that Beijing was acting reticently on the matter.

New international treaty replacing INF should include China: Germany

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix.

'It only works if both parties comply': US prepares to pull out from INF treaty with Russia

Russia suspends INF treaty with US