UK holds Russia responsible for demise of INF Treaty: Foreign Secretary
London, Aug 2 (Sputnik): The United Kingdom thinks that Russia is responsible for violating and terminating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and continues secretly developing and deploying missile systems, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Friday.
Earlier in the day, the United States officially withdrew from the INF, six months after announcing its decision to suspend obligations under the nuclear pact with Russia.
"Russia has caused the #INFTreaty to collapse by secretly developing and deploying a treaty-violating missile system which can target Europe’s capitals. Their contempt for the rules based international system threatens European security. UK fully supports @NATO’s response," Raab wrote on Twitter.
Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO will respond to the INF Treaty termination in a "measured and responsible way" and provide reliable deterrence and defense.
Stoltenberg also said that the bloc will boost its conventional capabilities.
The United States formally suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty in February, accusing Russia of numerous violations of the deal.
Moscow has repeatedly refuted the accusations. In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by signing a decree that would suspend Russia's participation in the accord.
The INF Treaty requires the United States and Russia to eliminate all of their nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (from 310 to 3,417 miles).
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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