London/Washington - The United States accused Russia on Monday, July 28 of violating the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, referring to cruise missile tests that date to 2008, the BBC reported.
According to Washington, the development and tests of a land-based
cruise missile seriously violates the agreement and threatens the
security of the United States and its allies.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration had informed Russia
about their concern and said they were ready for bilateral consultations
on this matter.
The United States also said that if Russia failed to continue to obey
the 1987 treaty, the United States could hold consultations with its
allies concerning this matter.
The Associated Press reported that the U.S. president’s
administration insists that the talks on this issue should be held as
soon as possible and at a high level.
“The Obama administration has expressed its concern over possible
violations before, but this is the first time that the administration
has formally accused Russia of violating the treaty,” the agency said.
In early 2014, the United States notified the Allies that Moscow
conducted tests of a new cruise missile. According to Washington, Russia
tested the missile back in 2008.
The INF Treaty banned all U.S. and Russian land-based ballistic and
cruise missiles with ranges between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometers and
ranges between 500 and 1,000 kilometers.
