In 2020, NATO will respond to the deployment of Russian Iskander-M systems with a 9M729 missile, because of which the United States accused Russia of allegedly violating the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) and withdrew from the agreement. It is reported by the German television channel N-TV.

“As for the SSC-8 (9M729), we will work on air defense and missile defense systems, on traditional weapons, on increased alert and longer warning times,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

He added that the NATO defense ministers have already reached consensus on the upcoming response. According to him, the alliance’s response to the deployment of 9M729 missiles will be "proportionate and defensive."

According to Stoltenberg, this type of weaponry is “part of the Russian strategy” in active investment of funds "Into new modern technology, including new modern nuclear weapons." At the same time, NATO does not intend to deploy new ground-based nuclear missiles in Europe, the Secretary General noted.

It is worth noting that no official reports have been received by Russian officials about the deployment of Iskander-M complexes with the 9M729 missile in European or other parts of the country.

In addition, in December 2019, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov, speaking to foreign military attaches, said that the increased military activity of NATO on the western borders of Russia, as well as the nature of the exercises, testify to the preparation of the alliance for a full-scale conflict.

“The actions of the alliance increase tension and reduce the level of security on the Russia-NATO contact line. Reducing the risks of dangerous incidents in the military should remain the most important area of ​​dialogue between Russia on the one hand, the United States and NATO on the other, ”he explained.

Recall that in August 2, 2019, the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate and Shorter Range Missiles ceased to exist. Washington withdrew from the agreement unilaterally, accusing Moscow of violating it. According to the INF Treaty, signed on December 8, 1987, countries agreed to completely destroy ground-based missiles, whose flight range was from 500 to 5500 km, and launchers. However, in recent years, the United States has claimed that the 9M729 missile violates the agreement.

At the same time, the military attachés of the United States and several other NATO countries ignored a briefing by the Russian Ministry of Defense, which revealed the technical characteristics of the shell. The Russian department noted that the maximum flight range of 9M729 is 480 km.

At the same time, less than three weeks after the termination of the INF Treaty, Washington conducted flight tests of a cruise missile, which had previously been banned: its range exceeds 500 km. Another stage of verification of such weapons was carried out on December 12.

  • Military equipment of the Slovak army during the military exercises of the NATO countries Silver Arrow in Latvia
  • Reuters
  • © Ints Kalnins

“It is NATO that is strengthening its grouping and activity along the borders of Russia”

Corresponding Member of the Academy of Military Sciences, political scientist Sergei Sudakov, noted that the United States withdrew from the INF Treaty “on a completely contrived pretext”, and the NATO Secretary General is guided by the same course as the United States.

“It is worth recalling that it is NATO that is strengthening its grouping and activity along the borders of Russia. This should be perceived solely as unfriendly and aggressive actions towards Russia. We place complexes on our sovereign territory. In response to this, Western colleagues can build a new missile security system, this is their right. But in this way they will not unleash an arms race. Such statements are yet another provocation aimed at maintaining Russophobic sentiments within NATO, ”the source said.

In turn, Konstantin Blokhin, an expert at the Center for Security Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, pointed out that all criticism of Russia is necessary for the alliance only for the consistent substantiation of its own actions.

“In fact, the situation resembles a Russian proverb about a speck and a beam in the eye. The fact is that American drones, which themselves can carry missiles and act as missiles, are suitable for violating the treaty. Obviously, Stoltenberg’s words are not specifically the position of any member of the alliance. But Jens Stoltenberg and can not say anything else, he is the main person in NATO. NATO is an organization that was created to contain Russia. Without some kind of threat, the alliance is not needed, ”the expert stressed in an interview with RT.