Russia welcomes "professional dialogue" with U.S. on INF Treaty: Russian FM

MOSCOW, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to work with the United States on issues regarding the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty via professional dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"This event (the signing of the INF Treaty) was a milestone on the path towards abandoning the Cold War. The treaty contributed greatly to strengthening European and global security and stability...It was crucial step towards nuclear disarmament," the ministry said in a commentary on the 30th anniversary of the treaty.

Moscow has strictly abided by the INF Treaty over the three decades and will continue to fulfill its obligations in the treaty "for as long as our partners do the same", the ministry said.

According to the ministry, Washington keeps producing groundless accusations of Russia's violating the treaty, while tending to interpret its obligations stipulated in the treaty in a way that is favorable to the development of important armament.

"We are ready to engage in a non-political, professional dialogue with the U.S. regarding the issues around the treaty. However, attempts to communicate with us in the language of ultimatums or to put military and political pressure on Russia through sanctions are unacceptable," it said.

The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 by the former Soviet Union and the United States to ban the development, deployment and testing of ground-launched ballistic or cruise missiles with ranges between 300 miles (483 km) to 3,400 miles (5472 km).

Moscow and Washington have repeatedly accused each other of violating the treaty. Enditem