Russia is ready to build medium-range ballistic missiles to ensure security.

(Baonghean.vn) - On September 19, a Russian official emphasized that the country can prepare appropriate countermeasures if the US decides to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

Three Soviet-era RSD-10 missiles are prepared for destruction at the Kapustin Yar launch site. Photo: Sputnik

RIA news agency quoted Mr. Frants Klintsevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian Upper House of Parliament, as saying that appropriate countermeasures will be prepared to ensure Russia's security, including the possibility of using the country's air defense systems.

This official stated: "If the US withdraws from the INF Treaty, Russia will certainly take certain measures to manufacture similar weapons related to short- and medium-range missiles with a range of up to 1,500 km."

The statement was made after the US Senate on September 18 passed a new defense policy, authorizing the Department of Defense to begin developing a new cruise missile with a range of 500 to 5,500 km.

The US and Russia signed the INF Treaty in 1987 and it officially took effect in June 1988 after negotiations between then US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

The main content of this document is to prohibit the parties involved from handling, producing or testing from the ground ballistic missiles with ranges from 500 km to 5,500 km. About 2,700 intermediate-range missiles have been destroyed after the INF came into effect.

For a long time, Moscow and Washington have accused each other of violating this treaty./.

Lan Ha

(According to THX)