US will get a fitting reply for withdrawal from INF; warns Russia -

Moscow: The decision of the US President to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) has created a sensation all over the world. Russia made an aggressive announcement that it will have to take the necessary steps to correct the imbalance created by the United States’ move. The scrapping of the understanding between the two countries will have dreadful effects across the world, warned the analysts. Against this explosive background, US National Security Advisor (NSA), John Bolton has reached the Russian capital of Moscow.

The liberal former President of Soviet Russia, Mikhail Gorbachev has blamed the US President of making a grave mistake by withdrawing from the INF. On the other hand, the Russian people’s representative, Constantine Kosachev has alleged of a major conspiracy behind the withdrawal from the INF. Kosachev has alleged that the United States has taken this decision only to be able to deploy nuclear weapons at the Russian border. He also warned that this US decision will have destructive effects and Russia will have to take necessary steps to counter the effects.

In view of this, the US NSA, John Bolton will hold discussions with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov and other senior officials. Sources have indicated that Russian President, Vladimir Putin expects a comprehensive explanation from the United States. The Russian government spokesman, Dimitri Peskov confirmed this. ‘We want to hear the explanation of the United States on the cancellation of this treaty. Scrapping the treaty in such a way will force Russia to take steps to protect its security,’ said Peskov.

John Bolton and advisor to Trump is known to be a hardliner against Russia. Bolton himself had advised the US President to withdraw from the INF treaty, claim the media. Following the INF, Bolton has also expressed severe opposition to extending the period of another nuclear treaty with Russia, known as the New Start. The period of this treaty will expire in 2021. Pressurising President Trump to exit from the INF and the subsequent announcements are believed to be indications towards winding up of the New Start treaty.

Former Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev, who had taken an initiative to get the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty approved from the United States has appealed to the United States to not withdraw from the treaty. ‘One should not break the agreements signed for banning arms use. Don’t the people in the US realise what can be the fallouts of such an action?’ Gorbachev lambasted the Trump administration with these words.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov has taken an aggressive stand on the United States’ announcement. ‘Russia has repeatedly presented its position in this matter. There will be a fitting reply given to this action by the US. If you want stability on the military level, it is necessary to maintain an equilibrium. We are responsible for the stability of the world and I hope that the United States will not ignore its responsibility in this matter,’ warned the Russian Foreign Minister.