BRUSSELS, February 12. /TASS/. NATO is planning defensive measures in a world without the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty but does not intend to deploy new missiles in Europe, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of a meeting between the alliance’s defense chiefs.
“At the same time, we are planning for a world without the INF Treaty. At this meeting of defense ministers, we will discuss what steps NATO should take to adapt to a world with more Russian missiles,” Stoltenberg asserted.
“Any steps we take will be coordinated, measured, and defensive. And we do not intend to deploy new ground-based nuclear missiles in Europe,” the NATO chief stated.
As Stoltenberg said, the NATO defense ministers will discuss Russia’s deployment of “several battalions of the SSC-8 [9M729] missile.”
“We all know that a treaty that is only respected by one side cannot keep us safe. That is why the United States, with the full support of all NATO allies, has announced its intention to withdraw from the Treaty,” the NATO chief claimed.
“This will take effect within six months. So, Russia has a last opportunity to take the responsible path. To return to compliance and save the INF Treaty. We urge Russia to take this opportunity,” he stated.
Stoltenberg reiterated that “NATO does not want a new arms race.”
“Because that would be in nobody’s interest,” the NATO chief said.