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Russia suspends its involvement in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) as a 'Symmetrical response' to US move, RIA Novosti reports. Vladimir Putin voiced this decision during his meeting with Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov on February, 2.
President Vladimir Putin said Russia would not engage in nuclear arms race because it is too costly for our country.
On Friday, the US, which has long accused Russia of violating the treaty, formally announced it was suspending its obligations under the agreement. Putin asked Defence Minister about the budget details on this action. President has approved Shoygu's proposal to Calibre rockets “landing.” Work on medium-range supersonic land-based missile to be started soon.
As we reported earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will suspend the implementation of the INF Treaty and start the procedure for withdrawing from the contract on February 2. The exit process will last half a year and will end if "Russia does not return to compliance with the treaty". The head of the US State Department Mike Pompeo clarified that they expect Moscow to eliminate 9M729 missiles.
Russia claimed several times that they have never violated the agreement. Therefore all demands of Washington to eliminate the 9M729 missile Moscow calls “unacceptable.”
Russkiy Mir
