Russia officially signed a decree suspending the implementation of the INF Treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States.
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on Russia's suspension of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the Kremlin press service said.
In recent years, Moscow and Washington have frequently accused each other of violating the INF. The main complaint of the United States is the 9M729 missile. Russia has repeatedly stated that it strictly complies with its obligations under the treaty.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier noted that Moscow has very serious questions for the United States about the Americans' own implementation of the treaty.
According to him, the US accusations of Moscow's violation of the INF Treaty are baseless, and the 9M729 missile that caused Washington's concern was tested within the range allowed by the agreement.
President Putin officially signed the decreeRussia suspends participation in the INF Treaty. Photo:Sputnik / Mikhail Klementev
US President Donald Trump said earlier that on February 2 Washington will begin procedures to exit the INF Treaty with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 2 that the Russian Federation will respond to the US decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty and also suspend its participation in the treaty. At the same time, Mr. Putin added that all proposals of the Russian Federation on disarmament "remain on the table and the door is open", but demanded that from now on no negotiations on this issue will be held.