BRUSSELS – NATO said Friday that Russian threats to its members were“unacceptable and counterproductive” after President Vladimir Putinunveiled a new arsenal of hypersonic weapons billed as “invincible”.

With ties between Russia and the West at post-Cold War lows over the Syriaand Ukraine conflicts, Putin stoked fears of a new arms race with theannouncement on Thursday of high-tech weaponry that can travel at manytimes the speed of sound.

Putin’s presentation during a state of the nation speech featured videomontages of missiles crossing mountains and oceans, heading over theAtlantic, though the Kremlin later insisted the maps used did not representany actual countries.

“Russian statements threatening to target Allies are unacceptable andcounterproductive,” NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in a statement.

She said the alliance would press ahead with its twin-track approach withRussia – dialogue paired with strong deterrence and defence.

Moscow has been angered by NATO’s expansion into former Soviet satellitestates in eastern Europe and Putin warned that Russia would respond to anyattack on one of its allies, though he said it would only ever be defensivein nature.

Russia is also concerned by the US-led alliance’s missile defence system inEurope, which it sees as a provocation, though NATO rejects the criticism.

“As we have repeatedly made clear, the alliance’s missile defence isneither designed nor directed against Russia. Our system defends againstballistic missiles from outside the Euro-Atlantic area,” Lungescu said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump sharedconcern in a phone conversation over Putin’s claims, Berlin said Friday,and analysts have warned Putin was effectively challenging Washington to anew arms race.

“NATO is a defensive alliance, which stands ready to defend all membersagainst any threat,” Lungescu said.

“We do not want a new Cold War or a new arms race. All Allies support armscontrol agreements which build trust and confidence, for everyone’sbenefit.”