Russia asks U.S. to present its position on INF Treaty - Antonov
MOSCOW. June 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Defense Ministry has commented on Western media reports alleging the U.S. plans to deploy ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles in Europe to retaliate against Russian 'violations' of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and to deliver possible preemptive strikes on sites on the Russian territory.
"The measures U.S. sources are speaking about would mean the U.S. secession from the INF Treaty," Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said on Tuesday.
"The Russian Defense Ministry is thoroughly analyzing information related to the fulfillment of the INF treaty, which is coming from various sources. Indeed, we have paid attention to the Western media reports," he said.
"Seeking to receive formal explanations from the U.S., we made an inquiry via military diplomatic channels and requested to present the position of the Pentagon as regards the statements ascribed to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. M. Dempsey," the deputy minister said.