US Considers Response to Russia’s Violation of INF Treaty: State Department

WASHINGTON, December 11 (Sputnik) — The United States is considering an economic response to Russia's alleged violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the Under-Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the US Department of State Rose Gottemoeller said.

"We are actively reviewing potential economic measures in response to Russia's violation [of the INF treaty] and the US is assessing options in the military sphere to ensure Russia would not gain a significant military advantage from its violation of the INF treaty," Gottemoeller said at the US House of Representatives Committee, hearing on Russia's arms control compliance Wednesday.

Gottemoeller said that the United States continues diplomacy with Russia, including a series of a dozen bilateral meetings since July, but was developing a "multi-pronged" approach, including economic and military countermeasures if diplomatic efforts fail.

In July, the United States announced Russia had violated of the INF treaty by testing a prohibited ground-launched cruise missile. Russia has not recognized the US claim, asserting instead the United States violated of the treaty.

The INF treaty between the United States and former Soviet Union came into effect in 1988. The treaty bans nuclear and conventional ground-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 300 to 3,400 miles (482 to 5472 kilometers).