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French Minister urges NATO’s response to possible deployment of new Russian missiles

According to Le Drian, it may concern "placement and testing of cruise missiles that may be capable of carrying nuclear weapons."

MUNICH, February 18. /TASS/. NATO should quickly respond to possible deployment of new Russian cruise missiles, France’s Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said at the Munich security conference on Friday.

"It is important to react to this danger as quickly as possible," he said in response to a request to comment on media reports that the Russian military allegedly launched a fully operational unit equipped with ground-to-ground cruise missiles, in violation of the Russia-US Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.

According to Le Drian, it may concern "placement and testing of cruise missiles that may be capable of carrying nuclear weapons."

"Of course, it is necessary to comply with this agreement and to respond to such actions," the minister added.

Earlier this week, New York Times reported citing a source in the US administration that Russia had secretly deployed the ground-launched cruise missile which violated the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.

Earlier press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow remains committed to its international obligations, including the INF.

"No one has officially accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty. Russia was and remains committed to its international obligations, including those under the agreement you mentioned (INF)," he said.