NATO Calls Russia To Stand By Treaty

NATO called Russia on Thursday to abide by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as INF.



The U.S. accused Moscow of conducting missile tests in contravention of the 1987 treaty, amid an ongoing diplomatic row with Russia.



The alleged violation stems from Russia's commitment under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which stipulates that Russia shall not "possess, produce, or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 to 5,500 kilometers, or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles."



In a written statement on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the treaty which entered into force in 1988, was concluded to reduce threats to security and stability in Europe, in particular, the threat of a short-warning attack on targets of strategic importance. 



Rasmussen emphasized that Russia should work in a constructive way to resolve these issues, and return to its full compliance in a verifiable manner for preserving the effectiveness of the treaty. 



The U.S. and its allies in Europe previously sanctioned senior Russian officials, Russian businesses and business people, and Ukrainian rebel leaders in an attempt to make Russia change course.



The U.S.' accusations that separatists downed the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, and its allegations of Russian cross-border strikes on Ukrainian military forces have tested relations between Washington and the Kremlin.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Brüksel