Russia responds to the US on implementing the nuclear treaty

"We are continuing our professional dialogue with the United States on the INF Treaty," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. "There is no reason to assume that Russia is not responding to some of the questions from the United States on the INF Treaty. However, there is currently no specific schedule for when, where, who will answer those questions, and which questions will be answered."

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Photo: Sputniknews.com

Ryabkov added that, unlike Washington, Moscow would continue dialogue on the issue. "The American side has accused us of violating the treaty, which has led to the conclusion that the treaty is no longer valid." However, "we have always believed that this treaty is of immense value for Europe, the whole world and for the safety of all of us."

According to Deputy Minister Ryabkov, Moscow has not received any official notification about Washington's withdrawal from the INF Treaty. "So far, all we have received are speeches that bypass the process. Of course, there will be a huge difference between purposeful steps and individual steps," he concluded.

US President Donald Trump announced on October 20 that the US will withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty because he believes Russia has violated the agreement.

The US first accused Russia of violating the treaty in July 2014. The US has since repeated this claim, but Russia has denied all allegations and has accused the US of violating the treaty. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was signed between the US and the former Soviet Union on December 8, 1987, in Washington DC.