OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 9:45 AM PT — Friday, February 1, 2019
Russia’s deputy foreign minister — Sergei Ryabkov — has warned America’s withdrawal from a long-time nuclear arms treaty is a threat to nuclear arms control.
While speaking Friday, Ryabkov said the U.S. has jumped to conclusions after alleging Russia supposedly violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Ryabkov went on to say Russia considers the agreement essential, saying it’s within the interests of its own security as well as Europe. He noted it would be “irresponsible” for one side to “shatter” the treaty.
“This game is done, the Americans are sure to finally pull out of the treaty, this will be a serious blow to the international arms control system and the system of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which exist for now,” he stated.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (AP/Photo)
The Russian deputy foreign minister said the entire situation is interchangeable, and said Russia can’t turn a blind eye to a possible deployment of 24 American tomahawk missiles to Romania. He pointed out a U.S. missile defense system is already headed for neighboring Poland after an agreement was signed back in March.
A map of the world is displayed behind Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a news conference at the State Department in Washington, Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that the U.S. is pulling out of a treaty with Russia that’s been a centerpiece of arms control since the Cold War. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
