US, Russia to hold talks on 1987 arms control treaty

A US delegation heads to Moscow Thursday to discuss the 1987 arms control treaty with their Russian counterparts, with both sides accusing the other of violations.

The United States has raised concerns over Moscow's development since 2008 of a new missile banned under the accord, while Russia wants the United States to abandon or limit its anti-missile shield plans in Europe, saying the project threatens its security.

"We'll make every effort to resolve concerns we have about Russian compliance and to ensure they continue the viability of the treaty," said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, agreed between the United States and the then-Soviet Union, first took effect on June 1, 1988. The bilateral agreement was later broadened when the Soviet Union broke apart.

It required the destruction of all ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, as well as launchers and support equipment, by June 1, 1991, according to the State Department.