US and Russia spar over nuclear weapons treaty

(31 Jan 2019) The US and Russia sparred over a nuclear weapons treaty on Thursday at a nonproliferation conference in Beijing. The US and UK reiterated accusations that Russia was in violation of the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty between the United States and the former Soviet Union. The 1987 INF bans production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometres (310-3,400 miles). "We're here to uphold the standards of arms control regimes", said Andrea Thompson, Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs. "You've heard from our colleagues today, in unison, who was in violation of that treaty." "It's very clear to the UK that the reason why it hangs by a thread is because Russia, for some time now, has been in breach of that agreement", said Philip Barton, Director General of Consular and Security at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Russia countered by saying that "one of the parties" - likely referring to the US - wouldn't engage in bilateral dialogue. "As far as Russia is concerned, we're not to blame for anything", said Oleg Rozhkov, Deputy Director of Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control for Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. US President Donald Trump announced in October his intent to pull out of the INF, saying that Russia was violating the treaty and pointing out that China is not a signatory. The US says it will suspend its treaty obligations if Russia does not come into compliance by 2 February. The comments were made at a non-proliferation conference convening the five major nuclear nations - China, Russia, the US, the UK and France. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...