[Published: Monday October 22 2018]
 Gorbachev warns Trump over missile treaty with Russia
MOSCOW 22 Oct (ANA) - Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader, on Sunday warned Donald Trump against leaving a Cold War-era weapons treaty, saying the move could have unintended consequences.
The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was negotiated by Mr Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan to eliminate all land-based nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges between 310 and 3400 miles.
However, the US has repeatedly accused Russia of violating its terms.
Both sides have hinted at military retaliation in a dispute that threatens a return to the darkest days of the Cold War.
Mr Gorbachev said Mr Trump’s announcement at the weekend that he was abandoning the deal was a mistake.
"Under no circumstances should we tear up old disarmament agreements. ... Do they really not understand in Washington what this could lead to?" he said, according to Interfax News Agency.
A Kremlin spokesman said Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, would seek answers from the US about the planned withdrawal when he meets John Bolton, Mr Trump's national security adviser, who was due in Moscow for two days of what are expected to be tense talks.
The talks are believed to be laying the ground work for a second Trump-Putin summit.
American officials believe Moscow has deployed a ground system that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.
The US fears the treaty also leaves it at a disadvantage against China, which is not a party to the deal.
Gavin Williamson, UK Defence Secretary, backed Mr Trump, saying Russia was making a “mockery” of the agreement.(ANA)
FA/ANA/22 October 2018--------
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