Kremlin took note of US statement about targeting missiles at Russia

The Kremlin will closely study the report by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in which Washington mentions the possibility of deploying in Europe or Asia its missiles targeted at Russia’s nuclear potential.

"We have taken note of these reports in the media," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in reply to a question from TASS.

He said that "first and foremost these reports must be studied before making any comments."

"Of course we paid close attention to these reports," Peskov said.

According to Thursday’s reports by Associated Press quoting unclassified extracts from a report by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey the deployment in Europe or Asia of ground-based missiles targeted at Russia’s nuclear potential was one of the likely responses to Russia’s alleged failure to fully comply with the INF treaty of 1987.
Moscow has repeatedly dismissed all US charges it had breached the terms of the INF treaty.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s non-proliferation and arms control department, Mikhail Ulyanov, described Washington’s claims as groundless.

"The United States refuses to provide facts to back up the charges. Or, which is more likely, it is unable to do that. One has the impression that the real aim is to discredit Russia and to make it look like a state that violates its international obligations," Ulyanov said.