Russia to hold briefing on INF treaty, 9M729 missile for European Ambassadors on Friday

MOSCOW, Jan 18: Russia will hold on Friday a closed briefing at the Foreign Ministry for its allies, partners and ambassadors of European countries on the future of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) Treaty and the situation around the 9M729 missile on January 18.

German, Greek, Swedish and UK missions have confirmed their participation. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov expressed hope that invited US diplomats would also partake in the event.

The historic nuclear treaty, which was signed by the Soviet Union and the United States in 1987 and envisaged the destruction of all cruise or ground-launched ballistic missiles with ranges between 310 and 3,400 miles, faced uncertainty last October when US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would pull out of the agreement because of Russia’s alleged violations.

In particular, the United States has repeatedly voiced concern over Russia’s 9M729 missile, which, according to Washington, violates the provisions of the nuclear treaty. Moscow has refuted US accusations as unsubstantiated, insisting that the missile was tested at the range permitted by the agreement.

Russia, in turn, has complained that launchers on US defense systems in Europe are capable of firing cruise missiles at ranges that are banned by the agreement.

(AGENCIES)

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