The US intends to break the global arms control structure

In an interview with TASS news agency ahead of the Russian Diplomats' Day (February 10), commenting on the situation surrounding the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Mr. Atonov stated: "The US intends to break the arms control structure that has been built over many years between the two countries. We see that they are pursuing the unrealistic idea of ​​achieving global military dominance. Frankly speaking, this plot cannot be implemented."

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov. Photo: TASS

“Russia’s measures are neither costly nor trigger an arms race, but instead allow for maintaining a military-strategic balance,” Antonov said.

According to Mr. Antonov, Washington's actions are especially dangerous because they affect strategic stability, not only in relations with Moscow.

Ambassador Antonov stressed: "Russian-American relations in this area have always determined the direction of strategic stability and have always been taken into account by other countries when they develop their security policies, and have served as a guiding principle for strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime."

Mr. Antonov also affirmed: "Russia is doing everything possible to save the INF Treaty. The Russian Defense Ministry proposes unprecedented transparency measures that go far beyond the framework of the treaty. We propose to conduct a professional dialogue without the participation of the media."

The Russian Ambassador also said that Washington's steps showed that the US planned to abolish the INF Treaty from the beginning and had no intention of reaching a compromise with Russia on this issue.

Also in the interview, Mr. Antonov affirmed: "Dialogue between the Russian and US leaders plays a very important role in bilateral relations as well as strengthening strategic stability and security. Of course, these meetings need to be prepared and bring about substantial results. Our country does not want confrontation, instead we support the development of substantive, mutually beneficial relations. In this regard, contacts between the two countries' presidents are extremely important."

The Russian Ambassador said that anti-Russian sentiment in the US seriously hinders the organization of new summits between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump./.