Roundup: U.S. mulls deploying intermediate-range missile systems, citing "Russian violation"

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Department said Friday that Washington is considering deploying "conventional, ground-launched, intermediate-range missile systems" to defend itself and allies against Russia's "violation" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

The treaty, signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987, banned the development, deployment and testing of ground-launched ballistic or cruise missiles within ranges from 300 miles (483 km) to 3,400 miles (5,472 km).

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

The treaty has been "a pillar of international security and stability since its inception," said U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert in a statement.

"By eliminating an entire class of the most destabilizing weapon systems, the INF Treaty served as a key component to building and reinforcing strategic stability in the later days of the Cold War," Nauert said.

It has "set in motion the negotiations for a series of agreements to stabilize the post-Cold War relationship between the United States and our allies and the former Soviet Union," she added.

However, the agreement "is under threat," she said, accusing Moscow of taking steps to develop, test and deploy a ground-launched cruise missile system that can reach ranges prohibited by the treaty.

"Despite repeated U.S. efforts to engage the Russian Federation on this issue, Russian officials have so far refused to discuss the violation in any meaningful way or refute the information provided by the United States," she noted

Washington "cannot stand still" while Russia "continues to develop military systems in violation of the Treaty," she said, adding that Washington is pursuing economic and military measures to "induce" Moscow back to compliance.

"This includes a review of military concepts and options, including options for conventional, ground-launched, intermediate-range missile systems, which would enable the United States to defend ourselves and our allies, should the Russian Federation not return to compliance," she said.

"We are also prepared to cease such research and development activities if the Russian Federation returns to full and verifiable compliance with its INF Treaty obligations," she added.

Also on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia is ready to work with the United States on issues regarding the INF Treaty via "non-political" and "professional dialogue."

"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 a 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 under the treaty "for as long as our partners do the same", said the ministry.

Washington keeps producing groundless accusations of Russia 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, according to the ministry.

"Attempts to communicate with us in the language of ultimatums or to put military and political pressure on Russia through sanctions are unacceptable," said the Russian side.

The U.S. State Department has approved a sale of the Patriot Anti-Missile System to Poland at an estimated cost of 10.5 billion U.S. dollars, said the Pentagon on Nov. 17. Enditem

(Xinhua reporter Liao Bingqing in Moscow contributed to the story)