Russia suspends participation in the INF Treaty on Nuclear Weapons | World

"Our American partners have announced the suspension of their participation in the agreement, so we will suspend it," Putin said at a meeting with his foreign and defense ministers, Serguei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu.

"Russia will no longer take the initiative to negotiate disarmament with the United States," the head of state was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.

"Let's wait until our (American) partners have matured enough to have a peer-to-peer dialogue and meaningful dialogue on this important issue," he added.

The United States announced Friday (1) that it was withdrawing from the INF treaty concluded by the USSR and Washington in 1987 during the Cold War, which abolished the use of ground-based missiles from 500 to 5,500 km and which was closed. the dangerous development of nuclear warheads between them.

For Washington, Moscow has not been able to address the concerns raised by its new medium-range missile system which, according to Western countries, goes against the treaty.

"Tomorrow (Saturday), the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty and begin the withdrawal process", which "will end in six months if Russia does not comply with its obligations by destroying all its missiles, launchers and equipment violating the text, "said Friday President Donald Trump in a statement.

"The United States has fully adhered to the INF Treaty for more than 30 years, but we will not be obliged to respect its terms as long as Russia misrepresents its actions," he said.

US Chief of Diplomacy Mike Pompeo said that his country, which had officially announced its concerns over the agreement reached two months ago, had dealt with alleged violations of the treaty more than 30 years ago. times with Russia.

However, he stressed that Washington was "ready" to continue discussions with Russia on "the issue of disarmament".

In early December in Brussels and with the support of NATO, Mike Pompeo gave Russia 60 days before February 2 to dismantle its new long-range missiles. Otherwise, he threatened to start the withdrawal procedure for six months.

Putin has already warned that Washington's withdrawal from the INF would result in a new arms race.

Russia denies "baseless" accusations, censuring Washington to violate the INF treaty.

The United States has decided to withdraw from the agreement "in response to the serious risks posed by Euro-Atlantic security to the hidden testing, fabrication and mobilization of the 9M729 system by Russia", according to NATO.