Russia Expects Clear Explanations From Bolton On US Further Steps On INF Treaty - Ryabkov

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st October, 2018) US National Security Adviser John Bolton arrives in Moscow on Sunday and Russia expects clear explanations from the adviser regarding the United States' further steps on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Sputnik on Sunday.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced the country's unilateral withdrawal from the INF treaty over Russia's alleged violations of the agreement.

"We are counting on obtaining clear explanations from him regarding the nature of the United States' intentions and further steps [regarding the treaty]," Ryabkov said.

The deputy foreign minister added that on Monday, Bolton was expected to have talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"It looks like right now, certain forces in Washington need to threaten with the withdrawal from the treaty in order to make it easier for them to continue a more and more open and outright violation of this crucial agreement in the sphere of arms control. The US violations have been going on for many years. We are patiently trying to set our colleagues in Washington on the path of dialogue and mutual removal of certain concerns. All the more that the opportunities for this exist," Ryabkov said.

The INF Treaty was signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987. The treaty prohibits the development, deployment and testing of ground-launched ballistic or cruise missiles with ranges between 300 and 3,400 miles.