Moscow convinced INF Treaty still binding on both Russia and US, says senior diplomat

December 14, 2018 - 11:40

Moscow is convinced that the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) is still binding on Russia and the United States, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday.

MOSCOW — Moscow is convinced that the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) is still binding on Russia and the United States, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday.

According to the Russian senior diplomat, the reason the United States has chosen as a ground to terminate the treaty, i.e. its violation by Russia, "is absolutely untenable".

"There have been no violations on our part. We strongly deny the United States’ groundless accusations as void and being in opposition to the facts," he said.

"Russia stays fully committed to the faithful and unfailing implementation of the INF Treaty, including liabilities not to manufacture and not to test missiles prohibited by the treaty."

"As a consequence, the United States’ decision to suspend its liabilities under the treaty is void from the point of view of law. Thus, when the two-month term set by the American side expires no legal effects are to follow and the treaty will stay in place," Ryabkov noted.

"It will continue to be binding on the sides and will be subject to complete, faithful and unfailing implementation by them." — TASS

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