BREAKING: Russia and US FAIL to make progress in crunch nuclear weapon treaty talks

The news was announced by Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov according to the TASS news agency. 

Mr Ryabkov had met with US under secretary of state for state and arms control Andrea Thompson in Beijing. 

The INF treaty was agreed between the US and Soviet Union in 1987 which banned ground launched missiles of certain ranges. 

Mr Ryabkov reportedly commented: “We told the US side that it is impossible to hold dialogue in the conditions of attempted blackmailing of Russia”. 

The US announced its intention to withdraw from the INF treaty on October 20. 

President Trump claimed Russia had been “violating it for many years” making it unsustainable for the US. 

There has also been concern in the US about Chinese missile development, which was not restricted by the INF treaty. 

The treaty banned short and intermediate range ground launched missiles with a range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometres. 

Between the treaty’s signature in 1987 and May 1991 over 2,500 missiles had been destroyed. 

After Trump’s withdrawal threat Russian President Vladimir Putin said he’s be prepared to negotiate the INF treaty with the US, but added Russia would “retaliate” if the United States pulled out. 

Unless progress is made in the next couple of days the US is expected to suspend its treaty obligations over the weekend.  

More to follow…

source: express.co.uk