China against unilateral withdrawal from INF Treaty

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The Trump Administration has warned that the U.S. could abandon the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, if Moscow doesn't comply. The Chinese side said on Wednesday that a unilateral withdrawal will lead to negative consequences.

China is against the idea of making the INF treaty a multilateral one, said Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for the ministry, saying that the decades-old pact plays an important role in easing international relations and maintaining global strategic balance and stability.

China has always been restrained in its military development, Geng said, reiterating that China does not intend to pose any threat to other countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday that the U.S. would suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty in 60 days unless Russia returns to full compliance with the agreement.

Russia fully adheres to the provisions of the treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in response to the statements by the U.S. and its allies that urged Moscow to return to full compliance with the agreement.