“Threats and statements (USA) ... left no doubt that Washington, firstly, sought this situation, and, secondly, consistently and purposefully violated the INF Treaty for a long time,” Polyansky said.

According to him, due to the geopolitical ambitions of the United States, the world was one step away from an uncontrolled arms race.

He noted that the American MK-41 launchers in Romania could easily be converted to the recently tested Tomahawks.

Polyansky added that the extension of the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty, which expires in 2021, is under threat after recent U.S. actions.

RT is a live broadcast of the UN Security Council.

On August 19, the Pentagon announced the test of a banned INF Treaty cruise missile. As noted in the military department, the development of a new rocket began in February.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that Washington was preparing to test the missile long before the INF Treaty ceased to exist.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on a US test of a missile banned by the INF Treaty.

As the head of state noted, "the Americans tested this rocket too quickly after announcing the withdrawal from the treaty."