U.S. exit from INF treaty complicates world situation most seriously - Putin
MOSCOW. Aug 5 (Interfax) - The United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has brought about fundamental risks for the whole world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"It is with regret that Russia states that the unilateral withdrawal by the United States from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles under a far-fetched pretext and the dismantlement of one of the last fundamental arms control treaties creates major complications for world affairs and brings about serious risks for everyone.," the president said in a statement released by the Kremlin's press service.
"All the responsibility for what has happened rests with the United States.
"Instead of engaging in a meaningful discussion on international security matters, the United States opted for simply undercutting many years of efforts to reduce the probability of a large-scale armed conflict, including the use of nuclear weapons.
"Russia cannot ignore the current state of affairs or satisfy itself with hollow peace-loving declarations made by its American colleagues or their allies," Putin said.