In his interview to Vietnam television, Central China Television (CCTV) and Chinese Channell “Phoenix” Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov have stated: “We are open for constructive dialogue. Of course, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and not on the principle of “teacher and student.” So you can’t talk with any country, especially with the Russian Federation”.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed regret that the political contradictions in the United States influenced the dialogue with Moscow on a number of issues, including the INF Treaty.
The United States began the procedure for withdrawing from the INF Treaty on February 1. Russia announced a symmetrical response. President Vladimir Putin also instructed the Ministry of Defense to start developing previously banned classes of missiles. In a message to the Federal Assembly, Mr. Putin said that in the event of a threat, Russia would be forced to strike back not only in Europe, where American missiles can be located, but also in the territories where the decision to attack was made. “Russia does not threaten anyone, and our actions in the field of security are retaliatory, and therefore defensive,” said Vladimir Putin.
