Ryabkov: US taking steps in preparation for violating INF Treaty

Ryabkov: US taking steps in preparation for violating INF Treaty

The United States’ current policies are in fact tantamount to preparations for quitting the intermediate and shorter range missiles treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told a round table meeting at the Federation Council.

"It is quite obvious that a certain potential is being created which on the condition of a corresponding political decision will make it possible to take a long stride forward and, in fact, to go beyond the bounds established by the INF treaty," Ryabkov said.

"In other words, the Americans are conducting activities that deserve no name other than preparations for breaching the INF treaty. We believe that this activity at least runs counter to the INF treaty’s spirit and its goals and tasks," TASS cited him as saying.

"What it is particularly worrisome is that on the far-fetched pretext of violations by Russia the United States launches ever more ostensibly retaliatory military programs, rather provocative and fraught with violations of the INF treaty," the minister added.

"The development has been announced of ground systems armed with a ballistic missile and of an anti-ship cruise missile having a range of 499 kilometers. At the same time the designers have openly declared it will be possible to promptly increase the range of these weapons, if need be," Ryabkov said. "Also, plans have been announced for research and development on a ground-based missile system with a gliding warhead having a range of up to 2,250 kilometers."

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