Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Speaking in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Lavrov stressed that Moscow will take miltary and technical measures to deal with any threats from the US’s withdrawal but will also take into consideration proposals to prevent a New Cold War.

The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty required the United States and the Soviet Union to eliminate and permanently forswear all of their nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers. In October, 2018 President Donald Trump announced his intention to “terminate” the INF, citing Russian noncompliance. On Friday, the Trump administration declared a suspension of US obligations under the INF and formally announced its intention to withdraw from the treaty in six months.