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NATO's secretary-general says the alliance will respond to what it insists are Russian violations of a key Cold War-era treaty but won't station more nuclear missiles in Europe.

Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "any steps we take will be coordinated, measured and defensive, and we do not intend to deploy new ground-based nuclear missiles in Europe."

On Feb. 2, the U.S. launched the six-month process of leaving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty it agreed bilaterally with the Soviet Union in 1987, citing Russian violations. Moscow denies any infringements.

The pact bans production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers (310-3,400 miles).

Stoltenberg says NATO ministers will discuss Wednesday "what steps NATO should take to adapt to a world with more Russian missiles."