The EU explained the refusal to participate in a briefing of the Ministry of Defense on the rocket 9M729

They stressed that the EU is ready to participate in the “informative briefings” under the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF). The evidence of this was that diplomats called the presence of the 28 members of the bloc at the Foreign Ministry briefing on January 18, at which a “confidential exchange of views” took place.

“Since the EU is convinced that today's demonstration pursued other goals, the EU and most of its member countries decided not to participate,” a Twitter message said.

Earlier it was reported that the military attaches of the United States, Britain, France and Germany, as well as representatives of the EU and NATO missions did not attend the briefing of the Ministry of Defense on 9M729.

On January 23, the MoD for the first time showed the upgraded 9M729 missile to foreign military attaches. According to Washington, the presence of this weapon violates the INF. Moscow, however, emphasizes that the maximum range of the missile’s flight - 480 km - complies with the terms of the agreement.