A tactical Tomahawk cruise missile launch from a Mk-41 VLS. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles/Released.)
The US started deploying Aegis Ashore missile defense systems as well as MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) tubes, which can be used to launch intermediate-range cruise missiles in Europe in June, the Russian Foreign Ministry says.
Vladimir Ermakov, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control, stated that the deployment of MK-41 VLSs in Romania and Poland contradicts the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
“There are also serious questions regarding the actions of our American colleagues that are contrary to the INF Treaty, including the ground-based deployment of universal Mk-41 launchers in Romania and Poland,” he said during a general debate in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.
In May, US President Donald Trump accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty and ordered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to propose new sanctions against Russia in connection with the alleged violations. Then, Moscow responded by saying that Russia had never violated the agreement. In turn, Russia says that the US is the side violating the INF Treaty on a constant basis.
