NATO says it is ready for 'a world increasingly populated by Russian missiles'
NATO's secretary general has said he is planning to prepare for "a world without the INF" following the collapse of the Cold War-era agreement.
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| NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: EPA |
Fears of a new arms race in Europe are growing after the US began the process of withdrawing from the INF treaty, accusing Russia of violating the agreement by developing a new missile system.
In his latest speech at NATO headquarters in Brussels (Belgium), Mr. Stoltenberg announced that NATO will respond to what they accuse Russia of violating the INF, but affirmed that it will not deploy new nuclear warheads in Europe.
He stressed that the military alliance will strengthen its defense capabilities to prepare for "a world without the INF and with growing Russian missiles."
A day earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry responded to US accusations by asserting that Washington had not provided any evidence showing that Moscow violated the INF.
A press release posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry website stressed that the US had only made accusations that Russia was developing the 9M729 missile in violation of the INF based on unclear intelligence information. According to the release, Washington had not determined the exact range of this type of missile.
The INF was signed by the US and the Soviet Union on December 8, 1987 and officially took effect from June 1, 1988. Accordingly, both sides pledged not to produce, test, or deploy medium- and short-range ballistic and cruise missiles (from 500 to 5,500 km).
However, in October 2018, US President Donald Trump accused Russia of violating the treaty by building the "Novator 9M729" missile.
Meanwhile, Russia announced that it would not destroy the "Novator 9M729", and affirmed that this type of missile does not violate the INF. According to Moscow, the US created an excuse to withdraw from the treaty so that it could freely develop new types of missiles.
On February 1, President Trump announced that the US would suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty with Russia from February 2 and begin the process of withdrawing from the INF.
On February 6, Russia announced that it would withdraw from the INF within 6 months, as a proportionate response to the US withdrawal from this treaty.
Tensions over the INF Treaty have caused concern in many countries around the world. A number of countries and international organizations have called on Russia and the US to hold dialogue to "reverse" the decision and avoid a new arms race./.
