Russia will not aim missiles at European targets unless forced to do so
(Baonghean.vn) - On March 4, Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Federation Council (ie the Upper House) of Russia Viktor Bondarev said that Russia's suspension of participation in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with the United States does not mean Moscow has given up.
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| Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Federation Council (upper house of parliament) of Russia Viktor Bondarev. Photo: TASS |
In an interview with TASS news agency, Mr. Bondarev emphasized: "I guarantee that - unless it is absolutely necessary - Russia will not aim missiles at European targets, command and decision-making centers in the United States, which President Putin mentioned."
He pointed out that Russia only suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty, not terminating the agreement. However, according to Mr. Bondarev, there is a possibility that a new version of the INF Treaty will be established if more countries join the agreement.
"The current version of the Treaty is long outdated. More than 30 years have passed since the agreement was signed and many other countries have developed prohibited weapons. I believe that a new version of the Treaty can be established with the participation of more countries, as the Russian side proposed earlier," Mr. Bondarev said.
Earlier the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending Russia's participation in the INF Treaty with the US. The decree took effect from the date of signing./.