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Washington not likely to compromise on INF Treaty — Russian ambassador

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said "all decisions on the Treaty were made before withdrawal was even announced"
US Ambassador to Russia Anatoly Antonov Alexander Shcherbak/TASS
US Ambassador to Russia Anatoly Antonov
© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. Washington is not likely to compromise on the situation around the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told Russia's Channel One on Wednesday.

"All decisions on the Treaty were made before withdrawal was even announced. Many US admirals came forward with statements that these types of missiles are necessary to deter China. Then some story was created that we allegedly have a type of missile that goes beyond the INF Treaty. It seems to me that Americans will not compromise on this issue," Antonov said.

The ambassador noted that interacting with the US "using the language of ultimatums" causes disappointment. Antonov said he thinks that Russia and the US, as two great nuclear powers and permanent members of UN Security Council, bear special responsibility for international security measures, and "the time has long passed for communication in such manner."

There is still a possibility of extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) but there is little time left, Antonov continued. "We need a very serious discussion at the negotiations table, and preferrably with no media," he added.

The ambassador said he hopes aides to US President Donald will provide sufficient reasonings to preserve the New START. He added that colleagues in the Pentagon understand very well how dangerous a potential conflict with Russia may be. "I think they don't have any illusions that somebody can win in this kind of conflict," he concluded.