Russia not to quit from INF Treaty unless being threatened (Sergei Ivanov)

Russia would not unilaterally quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, unless its security is under threat, Russian Presidential Administration chief Sergei Ivanov said Sunday.

"Either of the sides can leave the treaty in exceptional circumstances, which I didn't see it to happen. In general, we will adhere to international obligations unless our security interests are being threatened," Ivanov said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily.

He said that the first round of the updated Russian-American consultations have taken place just recently. "We are waiting for more (consultations) to come," Ivanov added.

In July, the United States accused Russia of violating the treaty, which Moscow denied. The two countries held consultations on the subject on Sept. 11 in Moscow, yet no concrete steps were made.

Ivanov also accused the West of imposing "cynical" economic sanctions against Russia recently, considering the fact that a ceasefire agreement was finally reached, bringing hope for peace in Ukraine, the RIA Novosti reported.   

• Nevertheless, he expressed the hope that the sanctions could spur the development of Russian industry and the cooperation of Moscow with other countries.

"The imposed sanctions could be a powerful incentive for our industries to be more active in their own development, as well as in cooperation with the countries," Ivanov said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said last Tuesday that Russia will principally strive to solve all disputes on INF Treaty with the U.S. in a normal working mode.

The United States and its allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow over the latter's alleged destabilizing role in Ukraine, targeting Russia's largest bank and leading energy and defense technology firms.
Xinhua - china.org.cn
22/9/14
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• Ρώσοι και Αμερικάνοι "ξεθάβουν" συμφωνία του 1987