Ukraine will intensify dialogue with NATO to discuss possible ways of strengthening the defense of the entire eastern flank of the alliance in response to Russia’s actions and in the wake of the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the USSR and the United States, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Ukraine is disappointed with the termination of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) following the situation around it, caused by Russia’s actions, and fully understands the U.S. move in response to Russia’s non-compliance,” the ministry said.
“Ukraine, together with the United States, condemned the development and testing of the PC-26 (Rubezh) ballistic missile which has a range of 2,200 km, as well as further improvement of battle and operational capabilities of the Iskander-M missile system,” it said.
“In Ukraine, we are particularly concerned with the fact that Russia developed and deployed nuclear-capable intermediate range missile systems at a range within reach of several European capitals, as well as the fact that in March 2019, Russia conducted military training in occupied Crimea, involving the use of Iskander-M missiles,” it said.
