Russia forced to prepare for US deployment of medium-range missiles

vn.sputniknews.com• March 19, 2019 16:47

Russia is forced to prepare for the possible deployment of intermediate-range missiles by the United States, the Russian Foreign Ministry website commented.

Headquarters of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Photo: Sputnik

"The United States is actively developing intermediate-range missile systems. We are forced to prepare for their future deployment," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also stressed that the country resolutely does not accept attempts to distort the objective logic of maintaining military-strategic balance and interpret Russia's response steps as a threat.

Previously, US President Donald Trump said that on February 2, Washington will begin procedures to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that "If Russia does not return to full and verifiable compliance within six months," the agreement will be terminated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 2 that the Russian Federation will respond to the United States' decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty and also suspend its participation in the treaty.

He noted that Russia should not and will not be drawn into a costly arms race. Mr. Putin added that all of the Russian Federation's disarmament proposals "remain on the negotiating table and all doors remain open," but demanded that from now on no negotiations on this issue be initiated.