MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) Russian President Vladimir Putin said, in an interview out Wednesday, that Russia was ready to negotiate a way to rescue the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
"Despite the US saying it wants to exit the INF we are open to dialogue on how we can keep it in place. We sent a number of concrete proposals on the matter to the US in December. We are open to serious talks on the entire strategic agenda of our two countries," Putin told two Serbian newspapers.
He said the United States was trying to "dismantle the system of international agreements on arms control... or adhere to those clauses that serve their interests." "The announcement that they would quit the INF was another link in this chain of events," Putin added.
The United States and Russia have traded blame for violating the INF. Putin said Russia wanted to improve the international atmosphere and stop tensions from spiraling out of control.
"This situation is the result of continuing unilateral actions by the United States and several other Western countries, including their use of force. This has created a climate of confrontation and mistrust," he said.
"We are calling on Western colleagues to refrain from blackmail, threats and provocations and respect international laws and engage in dialogue between our countries based on the UN Charter. This is the only way to preserve peace," he concluded.
