Patrushev Tells Bolton Important To Preserve Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Monday during his meeting with US National Security Adviser John Bolton in Moscow that he considered it important to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the press service of the Russian Security Council said.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd October, 2018) Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Monday during his meeting with US National Security Adviser John Bolton in Moscow that he considered it important to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the press service of the Russian Security Council said.

"In the context of US President Donald Trump's recent announcement of US intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Russian side has again voiced its principal position on the importance of maintaining the treaty in force, and has also voiced its readiness to work together on eliminating the mutual claims related to the implementation of this treaty," the press service said in a statement.

"It has been emphasized that the termination [of the treaty] would be a heavy blow for the entire international legal system of non-proliferation and arms control," the statement said.

On Saturday, Trump announced the country's exit from the treaty over the alleged Russian violations of the agreement. The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty prohibits the development, deployment and testing of ground-launched ballistic or cruise missiles with ranges between 300 and 3,400 miles.