The UN General Assembly did not adopt a resolution submitted by Russia in support of the Treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles (INF). 43 countries voted for the document, 46 against, 78 more abstained.

Among those who opposed the resolution were the US, EU States, Japan, Turkey, Israel and Ukraine. The document was supported by China, member Countries of the collective security Treaty Organization, Iran, Syria and a number of Latin American countries.

The main idea of the Russian document is to support the Treaty “as one of the cornerstones of European and international security” and to call on the parties to the Treaty — Russia and the United States — to continue consultations to preserve it.

Deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky, speaking at the meeting, noted that the Treaty was an important step towards nuclear disarmament and is in demand today. “The threat to its existence arose in October this year, when the United States announced its intention to unilaterally withdraw from the Treaty,” the diplomat reminded. He warned that the collapse of the Treaty threatened to return to a full-scale arms race.

In addition, Polyansky pointed to Moscow’s constant attempts to “sincerely understand the essence of the claims made by the United States.”

In turn, representatives of the United States and the European Union in the explanation of vote said that they consider this resolution is not conducive to the preservation of the Treaty.

US Secretary of state Michael Pompeo said on December 4, following a meeting of NATO foreign Ministers in Brussels that Washington will stop fulfilling its obligations under the INF TREATY if Russia does not return to the implementation of the Treaty within 60 days. As stressed on December 5, answering questions from journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the American side has not provided any evidence attributed to Moscow violations of the INF Treaty. Russia is against the destruction of the Treaty, but will be forced to react accordingly if the United States out of it, he said.