The remarks come after the Hill reported on Wednesday that the US plans to test two missile systems banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which the US announced its decision to withdraw from later this year.
General Ben Hodges, former commander of United States Army Europe (USAREUR), has suggested that after leaving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the US will increase the potential of its missile defence system in Europe without focusing on deploying its cruise missiles to the continent.
In an earlier statement in February, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would be suspending its obligations under the provisions of the INF Treaty starting on 2 February. He spoke about Russia’s 9M729 cruise missile, which American officials claim violates the treaty limitations.Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations that the missile violates the treaty, pointing out that American missile defence systems deployed in Europe can be re-purposed for offensive use and therefore are themselves violating the accord.