Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the US has already withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), but Russia is not going to follow suit.

Washington is apparently creating conditions to leave the INF Treaty, the Russian leader said during his annual news conference.

“We hear talk about the problems of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Apparently, conditions are being created and an information-propaganda campaign is being run for a possible US withdrawal from the threat,” Putin stated in response to a question from Rossiya 1 TV Channel on Thursday.

In fact, US withdrawal has already started and there is “nothing good about it” if this process continues, Putin said, adding that Russia is not going to withdraw.

Putin noted meanwhile, that missiles from the US ballistic defense system deployed in Romania, which are based on AEGIS missiles, can easily be converted to middle-range projectiles.

The Russian strongman also warned that Washington would jeopardize international security if it unilaterally withdraws from the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty).

“We hear that it [the treaty] is unprofitable and unnecessary for them [the US]… If the US once again unilaterally withdraws, it will be very bad for international security,” the Russian leader said. He added that Moscow is not going to leave the deal, but will develop its army and fleet.

Source: RT