NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he wants to save the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and Russia by bringing in more nuclear states.
Stoltenberg said Russia had always complained that countries such as China, India, Pakistan and Iran had developed midrange missiles while it was banned from doing so.
"But that's not an excuse for violating a treaty. On the contrary. It should prompt us to strengthen this treaty and bring in more partners," he said in comments published by Germany’s Funke Media Group.
The NATO head said that NATO would look into its own initiatives to maintain the treaty and improve arms control. "And we will talk to Russia again," he said.
Russia will not formally exit the treaty for another six months and Stoltenberg urged Moscow to change its mind in that time. "We call on Russia once again to use this opportunity," he stressed.
