Russia rejects US claim it is breaching arms treaty

Moscow yesterday dismissed US claims it is violating a major Cold War treaty limiting midrange nuclear arms, as a senior general lashed out at Washington’s attempts to “contain” Russia. The tense rhetoric comes a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would withdraw from the treaty within 60 days if Russia does not dismantle missiles that the US claims breach the deal. “Groundless accusations are again being repeated,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Zakharova said “no proof has been produced to support this American position” on the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty, which she described as a cornerstone of global security.