16.04.2024, Washington.
Russian ambassador to the USA Anatoliy Antonov accused the USA of destroying the arms control architecture and turning Ukraine into a testing ground for the illegal implementation of military and biological programs. The press service of the Russian diplomatic mission published this statement on April 16.
In his statement issued in response to the US State Department’s report on the countries’ Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments, Antonov pointed to the targeted dismantling by the USA of key elements of these agreement such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and Treaty on Open Skies.
The ambassador also expressed concern about US military activity in Europe, where, according to him, US tactical nuclear weapons are stored, which is a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Antonov is particularly concerned about the situation in Ukraine, which he called a testing ground for the illegal implementation of the Pentagon’s military-biological programs.
In the Asia-Pacific region, according to Antonov, the United States is increasing the unpredictability of the situation with its destabilizing plans to deploy medium- and shorter-range missiles by the end of 2024.
Without dwelling on this, the Russian ambassador accused the United States of attempts to militarize space, which, while declaring its intentions to deploy nuclear weapons there, simultaneously accuses Russia of similar plans.
Presenting itself as an impeccable guardian of the arms control agreements, the USA is simultaneously flouting the treaties and putting mentoring-style “grades” to other countries, Antonov noted of Washington’s hypocritical policy.
Antonov’s statement came against the backdrop of worsening relations between Russia and the United States on a range of issues, including the situation in Ukraine, military spending and arms control.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
