NATO will continue its efforts to salvage the United States-Russia Treaty on the elimination of medium-and short-range nuclear missiles (INF) and to strengthen arms control. This was stated by the Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with the German newspaper Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ), published on Thursday, February 7.

Asked about the possible reasons why Russia produces missiles prohibited by the INF Treaty, NATO Secretary General replied that Moscow has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with this agreement, prohibiting it from developing weapons that are created and placed on its territory by countries such as China, India, Pakistan or Iran. “But this cannot be an excuse for violating the Treaty. On the contrary, it should be an occasion to strengthen this disarmament Treaty and attract more partners to it”,- Stoltenberg stressed.

Russia has six months to return to the implementation of the INF Treaty

Recalling that Russia has six more months to return to the implementation of the Treaty, Jens Stoltenberg urged Moscow to take advantage of this opportunity. For its part, NATO will also continue its efforts to save the Treaty and strengthen arms control, he said.

“We will continue to talk with Russia,” said the NATO Secretary General, noting that he believes it is necessary to increase the investment of the member States of the Alliance in the defense and security system.

Commenting on the proposal of some German deputies to move Russian missiles to the Urals, Stoltenberg said that NATO will continue to insist on a complete ban on medium-range nuclear missiles.

If necessary, Moscow will be able to quickly transfer these mobile installations from the East to the West of Russia, the politician said.