US, allies warn Russia that missile defenses will be bolstered to counter new threat
The U.S.-led NATO alliance will consider bolstering its air and missile defense systems in Europe as well as enhancing its conventional forces if Russia doesn’t abolish a new missile system that poses a threat to the Continent, the alliance’s top official said Wednesday.
“An arms control agreement doesn’t work if it is only respected by one side,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday. “This is extremely serious.”
Stoltenberg’s comments came at the start of a meeting of NATO defense ministers, including acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who is in Brussels to convene with allies.
NATO’s new measures to counter Russia are expected to take effect if Moscow doesn’t comply with the landmark 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by an Aug. 2 deadline. If the treaty breaks apart, “Russia bares the full responsibility,” Stoltenberg said.
The United States and its allies in NATO contend Russia’s SSC-8 missile system violates the weapons ban and poses a new threat. The weapon is nuclear capable, has short warning times and could hit European capitals within minutes, Stoltenberg said.
https://www.stripes.com/us-allies-warn-russia-that-missile-defenses-will-be-bolstered-to-counter-new-threat-1.587748
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