Vladimir Putin regrets that the US and Europe didn't react to Russia's refusal to be the first to deploy missiles. However, this step allows to preserve the balance after the US withdrew from the INF Treaty in a unilateral manner. Meanwhile, the US has tested a cruise missile, which was created contrary to the treaty.
The new American cruise missile can accurately hit its target at a distance of more than 310 miles. The test launch and target practice were a success. The Pentagon reported the successful test on the San Nicolas island, California. The conventional missile was allegedly launched from a mobile ground launch pad. But here's the key aspect: launching such a missile from such a range is a violation of the INF Treaty.
Vladimir Putin: "I would like to recall that it was not Russia that withdrew unilaterally from the ABM Treaty. We did not walk away from the INF Treaty either. Now, extending the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms (START III) is on the agenda. We have not yet seen any initiatives from our American partners although our proposals are on the table. I'd like to repeat that we assume a unilateral commitment. If such attack systems are produced by the US, we will also have them, but we will not deploy them anywhere unless US systems like this appear. Regrettably, we have not yet heard any response to what we have expressed many times in public. We get the impression that they simply do not hear us. That said, I think the Europeans are interested in listening to us and responding appropriately".
The US unilaterally withdrew from the INF Treaty on August 2, less than three weeks ago. That means the missile was designed long before the termination of the 1987 treaty. The idea that the actions of the US look like a boycott and that the overseas party wasn't going to respect the actual agreement was expressed by Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in his interview on Rossiya 24 shortly before the launch of the American missile.
Sergey Shoigu, minister of defense: "About eight months, almost a year before their withdrawal, budget funds were allocated for the development of those missiles. The initiative was approved and the funds were allocated for the development of those missiles. That's why I believe that you should negotiate if that's what you want. And if you've never been willing to negotiate, you must stop playing games at some point and admit that you don't want to negotiate anything anymore and will deploy missiles to Asia, other regions, and so on".
After the US announced its withdrawal from the treaty, Russia has been doing everything to establish dialogue and has been as open as possible. Earlier this year, the Russian defense ministry had a special briefing, where the 9M729 missile was presented. Back then, the States said that it violated the INF. The Defense Ministry provided everything so that the US could make sure that it wasn't the case. But a US delegation never showed up.
Sergey Ryabkov, deputy foreign minister: "The US buried this treaty. It launched and finished the procedure of its unilateral withdrawal from the treaty. Meanwhile, Russia was supporting its preservation until the very last moment in a consistent manner. That's why, claiming that our country allegedly withdrew from the treaty as well and shares that responsibility with the Americans is absolutely wrong".
In addition, military experts believe that the US greatly increased the funding of the companies that manufacture missiles several years ago. There's no guarantee that money didn't fund the creation of intermediate- and short-range missiles. The Russian Foreign Ministry also believes that the goal of the US is not to keep the INF but get rid of the limitations imposed by the treaty. On the other hand, Moscow has never denied Washington dialogue on the INF Treaty.
Georgy Podgorny and Anna Redkina, Vesti.
