US claims Russia tests missile threatening Europe, Northeast Asia

WASHINGTON, August 13. /TASS/. Russia has "tested" a state-of-the-art ground-launched cruise missile at ranges capable of threatening most of European continent and US allies in Northeast Asia, namely Japan and South Korea, a US State Department official claimed on Wednesday.

"We continue to insist that Russia meet its legal obligations and return to compliance with this Treaty," the official said.

"We are consulting with Allies and reviewing a range of appropriate options — diplomatic, economic, and military — to respond to Russia's continuing violation of its treaty obligations," he said, stressing that there have been no decisions regarding military responses to "the Russian violation."

Last July, the United States announced that Russia was in violation of the INF Treaty, which bans manufacturing and tests of missiles with ranges of between 500-5,500 km (300-3,400 miles).

"We have reminded Russia of this and have pressed Russia repeatedly to engage constructively and return to compliance. We do not want a repeat of the escalatory cycle of action and reaction that marked much of the Cold War," the official said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the US claims that Moscow is violating provisions of the INF treaty are totally ungrounded and Washington pursues the goal of discrediting Russia.

The ministry has in its turn voiced concerns about the US plans for deploying in Romania and Poland vertical launching systems that are capable of firing Standard-3 interceptor missiles and medium-range cruise missiles Tomahawk.

"Their deployment will be a direct violation of the INF treaty," the Foreign Ministry said.