Russia and the United States failed to bridge their differences over a landmark Cold War-era arms treaty at last-ditch talks in Beijing, Russia’s deputy foreign minister told Russian news agencies on Thursday.
Report says the impasse sets the stage for the U.S. to begin pulling out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF) as early as Saturday unless Moscow moves to destroy a missile.
Moscow has refused to destroy the Novator 9M729 missile, insisting it is fully compliant with the treaty.
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According to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, unfortunately, there is no progress.
“As far as we understand, the next step is coming, the next phase begins, namely the phase of the United States stopping its obligations under the INF, which will evidently happen this coming weekend,” Ryabkov said.
Ryabkov has met U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson, in Beijing on the sidelines of a meeting of the P5 nuclear powers.
Reuters/NAN
