US says Russia in ‘material breach’ of key nuclear treaty

GENEVA, Switzerland — Russia remains “in material breach” of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the US says, raising the prospect that Washington will follow through on threats to ditch the agreement over alleged violations by Moscow.

US and Russian diplomats met in Geneva today amid widespread concern over the fate of the bilateral agreement, after US President Donald Trump said in October his country would pull out of the deal unless Russia lived up to its terms.

“The meeting was disappointing as it is clear Russia continues to be in material breach of the Treaty and did not come prepared to explain how it plans to return to full and verifiable compliance,” US Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Andrea Thompson, says in a statement.

“Our message was clear: Russia must destroy its noncompliant missile system,” she adds.

Russia hosts the talks at its mission in Geneva and Moscow’s delegation is led by deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov.

— AFP

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