“Let me remind you that, despite the destruction of the US Intermediate-Range Missile Treaty, we made a very important political gesture. President Putin said that the treaty no longer exists, but we will act in a mirror: if the United States begins to develop appropriate means, we reserve the right to do the same, if it is, and we will have that right, ”Lavrov said.
As the Foreign Minister noted, the president emphasized that Russia would not “deploy such medium- and shorter-range missiles if they were created in those regions of the world where American-made systems would not be deployed.”
“And if the United States refrains from deploying in Europe, whether in Asia, then we will not take the same steps. This is a serious offer. In fact, the moratorium, a voluntary moratorium, which we have already brought to the attention of NATO members, invited them to collectively join this moratorium. They have not yet responded with consent, ”he added.
Earlier, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said the United States had staged a propaganda campaign accusing Russia of INF Treaty violations to cover up its plans to leave the agreement.
The President instructed to analyze the level of threat in connection with the US test of a new cruise missile.
As noted in the Kremlin, Russia has begun preparing a US response in connection with the test.