Moscow responds: Our target won't be US, but Europe

The Chief of the Russian General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said this on Wednesday, Sputnik is reporting.

If the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty is canceled, then Russian responsive measures will target the countries that accommodate US intermediate-range and short-range missiles, the Russian army chief said.

The creation of a solid radar field near Russia's borders has been completed, this guarantees the detection of ballistic missiles from all directions, Gerasimov said.

"As military professionals, you should understand that not US territory, but the countries that accommodate US systems of intermediate-range and short-range missiles will become the targets of Russian responsive measures", Gerasimov told foreign military attaches.

"One of the main destructive factors deteriorating the international situation is the activities of the United States aimed at retaining the predominant role of the US in the world and excluding other countries from competition", Gerasimov said.

The chief of the Russian General Staff stressed that for these purposes Washington and its allies are taking measures to contain Russia and discredit its role in international affairs.

The statements come after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press conference in Brussels that the United States would suspend its adherence to the INF Treaty in 60 days unless Russia returns to full compliance with the agreement.