Iran Press/Europe: Russian President Vladimir Putin had said that if the US decided to suspend the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), Moscow would retaliate, the Kremlin stated on Saturday.
Putin added that Washington has already violated the INF agreement, Sputnik reported.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday that the US is suspending the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a key pact with Russia that has been a centerpiece of European security since the Cold War.
"For years, Russia has violated the terms of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty without remorse," Pompeo noted.
"It is our duty to respond appropriately," Pompeo said, adding that the US had provided "ample time" for Russia to return to compliance.
The Donald Trump administration has signaled for months that it wants to end the agreement covering ground-based nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, which the US accuses Moscow of violating since 2014.
Russia has said it is not violating the treaty and that its 9M729 missile has a range of less than 500 kilometers (311 miles). But in recent weeks, Russian officials have said they are certain the US would withdraw from the treaty. 101 / 211
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