US, Russia Meet On Disputed Nuclear Treaty In Geneva
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published January 15, 2019 | 07:34 PM
US and Russian diplomats were meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fate of a major nuclear missile control treaty that Washington has threatened to ditch over alleged violations by Moscow
The discussions come amid widespread concern over the fate of the bilateral treaty, after US President Donald Trump said in October his country would pull out of the deal unless Russia stopped violating it.
"Russia and the United States will hold consultations on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty #INFtreaty in Geneva on January 15," Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a tweet.
Andrea Thompson, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, also tweeted that she was leading the American delegation to the talks.
"Looking forward to sitting down with Russian delegation this morning to discuss how #Russia plans to come back into full and verifiable compliance with the #INFTreaty," she said.
The talks are being held inside the Russian mission, a source there who was not authorised to speak to the media told AFP.
Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would withdraw from the Cold War treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms within 60 days if Russia does not dismantle missiles that the US claims breach the deal.
"Recently we have noted that the American side has even hardened its tone, we see that as not a very favourable signal," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Russia's Interfax news agency ahead of the Geneva talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the US hardline by threatening to develop more nuclear missiles banned under the treaty.
The landmark treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987 and led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated.
It put an end to a mini-arms race in the 1980s triggered by the Soviet Union's deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles targeting Western European capitals.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From World
-
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
45 minutes ago -
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
45 minutes ago -
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
55 minutes ago -
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
1 hour ago -
Croatia top court bars president from becoming next PM
1 hour ago -
Lacking storm drains, Dubai sees persistent flooding
2 hours ago
-
West Bank villagers vigilant but vulnerable after settler attacks
2 hours ago -
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
2 hours ago -
Iran blasts rattle global markets
2 hours ago -
Photography is 'mirror on society': Sebastiao Salgado
2 hours ago -
Zelensky says NATO must choose 'whether we indeed are allies'
2 hours ago -
Kenya mourns defence chief killed in helicopter crash
2 hours ago