Russia Blasts US for Selling Japan Anti-Missile Systems

Russia has slammed the United States for allegedly breaching an arms control treaty when it agreed to sell anti-missile defense systems to Japan, CNN reports.

Japan agreed last week to purchase two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems built by the U.S., which would cover the entire nation of Japan, according to the country's state news agency NHK. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told CNN that this sale is in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

"We need to bear in mind that all these systems have universal missile launchers that can use all types of missiles. It means another violation of the INF treaty and we see that Japan is an accomplice in this matter," she said.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson denied the accusation.

"The United States is in full compliance with the INF Treaty. Russian claims to the contrary are false and meant to deflect attention from Russia's own very clear violations," the spokesperson said. "Third parties will not deter us from taking appropriate defensive measures in the face of growing security challenges."

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov told NHK on Tuesday that this sale will negatively impact relations between Russia and Japan, noting that the two countries have not signed a peace treaty since World War II.

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