Sergei Lavrov
Moscow and Washington still have questions on the Treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range nuclear forces (INF), consultation on this issue will continue, said the Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, reports RIA Novosti.
“We, as the President of Russia, interested in the fact that the Treaty was preserved, but, of course, remained without any violations by American partners. We suspect at least three positions that the Americans have created military system that violates or may violate the obligations assumed under the Treaty,” Lavrov said, adding that suspicions were brought to the American side.
“Americans, we, too, make claims, but can not specifically prove that they were alarmed. In any case, the conversation must be conducted”, — he stressed.
Lavrov also commented on the actions of the U.S. Senate earlier adopted an amendment to the us defense budget, which allows you to go from one article to the Treaty.
“It is provided by any agreement, including the INF Treaty… the stance of the Congress remains the position of the Congress,” Lavrov said, adding that the agreement can go out and not amended by Congress.
While Lavrov said that Russia would continue to adhere to the agreement, but Washington should not allow violations.
The INF Treaty does not allow parties to have ballistic missiles, land-based and cruise missiles with a range of from 500 to 5.5 thousand kilometers. The document was signed in 1987.