Pompeo said Russia's violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty undermine American national security and as such, the U.S. should not be "constrained" by a treaty that hampers its ability to respond.
The treaty was initially signed in 1987 by then USA president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Pompeo said that despite Moscow's INF violations, "the United States has remained in scrupulous compliance with the treaty". "But we also have to prepare for a world without the treaty".
USA allies lobbied Pompeo to provide the 60-day window, hoping that a diplomatic solution can be secured during that time.
"Russia's reply has been consistent: deny any wrongdoing, demand more information, and issue baseless counter-accusations", Pompeo said.
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed U.S. claims Russian Federation is violating a major Cold War treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms, as a senior general lashed out at Washington's attempts to "contain" Moscow. Under the terms of the treaty, neither nation could own any "ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, their launchers and associated support structures and support equipment".
He cited Russia's recent clash with Ukraine, saying the U.S. hoped the Russians would return captured Ukrainian soldiers "immediately".
The NATO ministers called on Russian Federation to "return urgently to full and verifiable compliance", saying it is now "up to Russian Federation to preserve the INF treaty".
Several experts previously said that the deployment of such missiles in Latin American countries is possible if the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) is not preserved.
Very simple: "We will also do this", he said, indicating that Russian Federation will no longer abide by the treaty if the United States withdraws.
Pompeo announced the decision after NATO allies meeting in Brussels supported Washington's contention that Russian Federation violated the terms of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
"Russia strictly abides by the provisions of the INF Treaty, and the American side knows this", the ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday, commenting on the statements by officials of the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the matter, Xinhua reported.
"During this 60 days, we will still not test or produce or deploy any systems, and we'll see what happens during this 60-day period", Pompeo told journalists in Brussels. The treaty is set to expire in 2021, but Russian Federation has expressed an interest in having it renewed.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation nations, individually and through the European Union, have also imposed economic and other sanctions on Russian Federation since it annexed Crimea, but there is little appetite among the allies to broaden those measures.
"No evidence to support this American position has ever been presented to us".
He also suggested a possible ban on Russian ships entering other countries' ports if Moscow continues to block the Sea of Azov, and said that he would raise this with his European Union counterparts next week. Moscow has consistently said it is in compliance with the agreement.
Recommended:
-
Republicans prepare to move ahead with lame-duck session | Lexington Herald Leader
They clearly communicated to my office their preference that the separation of powers between branches of government be retained. The state assembly approved the lame-duck legislation Wednesday morning, about 2½ hours after the Wisconsin Senate did the same.Milwaukee Bucks Trade Matthew Dellavedova to Cavaliers for George Hill
Brian Windhorst explained it as a strategic move by the Cavaliers to take on money because they want to acquire draft picks. Hill, 32, is averaging 10.8 points and shooting 46 percent on 3-pointers, though he missed 11 games with a shoulder injury.Graphic content: Doctors shocked after man coughs up lung clot
The bronchial tree is made up of the trachea and the two primary bronchi, which are the tubes that distribute air to the lungs. According to doctors, the clot was a near flawless cast of the man's right bronchial tree. -
José Mourinho sees no place for Fred until Manchester United tighten up
Asked on Friday when United, now eighth in the Premier League, will challenge for the title again, Mourinho said: "I don't know". There have been more rumours of Jose Mourinho leaving Manchester United .Pakistan condoles death of ex-US President H.W. Bush
During his time as U.S. president, he has held seven meetings with USSR and Russian leaders - Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, offered his condolences to Bush's son, the former President George W.Turkey seeks arrest of Saudis for murder of Khashoggi
Corker is confident that the crown prince is culpable in the murder. "I think the oil prices would go through the roof". The Yemen legislation could set up a bitter year-end Senate floor fight over US war powers. -
OPEC members complaining, says Nigeria is overproducing
Negotiations between OPEC members are fraught, as some feel that Saudi Arabia wields too much clout in setting policy. Saudi Arabia , the heavyweight within OPEC, said Thursday it was in favor of a cut of about a million barrels a day.Ballon d'Or: DJ Martin Solveig sorry for Ada Hegerberg 'twerk' question
After a huge backlash to Solveig online, the DJ gave a freakish explanation and apology to social media. The victor was chosen by a group of 40 voters - a different group than the judges for the men's award.Twitter Rebuffs Rudy Giuliani's Claim That the Social Network Sabotaged Him
Web designer and comic Jason Velazquez noticed the gaffe and pounced, purchasing the domain and posting a message: " Donald J. Giuliani has served as President's Trump's lawyer, and also as his cybersecurity advisor. -
James Comey testifies in closed-door session with House judiciary committee
Comey said he will be back at the Capitol for another closed-door interview the week of December 17. Comey was in charge of both of those investigations.7 artists who don't deserve their 2019 Grammy nominations - sorry
Entertainment Weekly's "Entertainers Of The Year" recipients Cardi B and Childish Gambino both racked up five nominations. Dot picked up 8 nods, including Album Of The Year for Black Panther: The Album .Adelaide is favorite ground away from home: Virat Kohli
India's batting let them down against England, where they lost 1-4. "A lot of the other batsmen haven't scored too numerous runs". India had misplaced their first two encounters however they returned to salvage a draw within the ultimate two clashes.