NATO must get ready for a world without the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told the US Congress on Wednesday
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 03rd April, 2019) NATO must get ready for a world without the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told the US Congress on Wednesday."We must also prepare for a world without the INF Treaty," Stoltenberg said. "We will be measured and coordinated. We will not mirror what Russia is doing."
Stoltenberg pointed out NATO's position regarding the INF Treaty is that Russia is in violation of the accord.
Russia has repeatedly denied the allegation as unsubstantiated, and has complained that US defense systems in Europe have been equipped with launchers capable of firing cruise missiles at ranges prohibited under the INF Treaty.
"There are no new American missiles in Europe, but there are new Russian missiles," Stoltenberg said. "I continue to call on Russia to return to compliance with the INF Treaty. But so far, Russia has taken no steps to do so, and time is running out."
Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO does not want a new arms race or a new Cold War.
"But we must not be naive and agreement that is only respected by one side will not keep us safe," Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg spoke ahead of the NATO ministerial meeting on Thursday that will mark the military alliance's 70th anniversary.
On February 1, the United States announced it was suspending its obligations under the 1987 INF Treaty and launched the withdrawal process. Washington said the withdrawal process will be completed within six months unless Russia remedies the alleged treaty violations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced soon thereafter that Russia also suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty.
