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Neither Russia Nor US Interested in Undermining INF Treaty - Russian FM

© Sputnik / Vladimir RodionovA bundle of three Soviet RSD-10 missiles prepared for demolition at the Kapustin Yar launch site. The missiles were destroyed in accordance with the INF Treaty.
A bundle of three Soviet RSD-10 missiles prepared for demolition at the Kapustin Yar launch site. The missiles were destroyed in accordance with the INF Treaty. - Sputnik International
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ALMATY (Sputnik) - The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has adopted a statement on the Russia-US Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, adding that no state is interested in undermining the INF.

"The statement has been adopted. It expresses support for this document, and at the same time expresses concern over a number of recent situations which suggest that the treaty is under threat. [Jeopardizing the agreement] does not benefit any party, neither Russia, nor the United States, as the main parties to the treaty, nor the world community, including the CSTO member-states," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

He also stressed, that no state is interested in undermining the INF.

Taliban fighters. (File) - Sputnik International
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The statement, adopted by the council of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO, says that the United States is jeopardizing the INF Treaty by developing military programs prohibited under the agreement, in particular the "development work on the creation of a mobile land-based missile system with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers (310-3,418 miles)."

The INF Treaty was signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan on December 8, 1987. It prohibits the development, deployment and testing of medium-range and shorter-range ballistic missiles and ground-launched cruise missiles. The sides also pledged to eliminate all launchers and ground-based missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers. The United States and Russia have constantly accused each other of violating the treaty.

NATO Mission in Afghanistan's Lack of Transparency

"The most concerning development is that the terrorists have been creating strongholds in Afghanistan's northern provinces, close to the CSTO's area of responsibility… This is concerning. We can see that the NATO mission does not always act transparently," Larov said after the session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers in Kazakhstan.

He also added that Russia supported direct dialogue with the Taliban and a political resolution to the crisis, provided that the members of the movement "abandon military methods of protecting their interests."

READ MORE: Russian Foreign Ministry Decries Reported Australian War Crimes in Afghanistan

The Russian foreign minister noted, however, that there has been no confirmation on the part of Taliban of a readiness for such dialogue.

"But we will continue our work, including [the activities] based on today's agreements by the CSTO foreign ministers… CSTO member states will continue coordinating their activities, including helping Tajikistan in strengthening its border [with Afghanistan]," Lavrov pointed out.

The US Congress building. (File) - Sputnik International
Foul Play: US Violates INF Accord, But Blames Russia For It
The CSTO is a regional military alliance consisting of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, that strives to promote security cooperation, including in the fight against international terrorism and extremism. The foreign ministers of the CSTO member countries met Monday in the Kazakh city of Almaty to discuss pressing issues relating to international and regional security along with modern international threats and challenges. There are a total of 12 issues on the meeting's agenda.

 

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