MOSCOW. Oct 25 (Interfax) - The United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty may lead to an arms race in Europe and the Asia Pacific region, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a joint board meeting of the Russian and Belarusian defense ministries on Friday.
"The United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty puts the global strategic stability system at risk and may provoke a new arms race not only in Europe but also in the Asia Pacific region," Shoigu said.
"Unilateral actions, including military ones, which violate international law, are becoming the new norm of interstate relations," he said.
"Meanwhile, terrorist groups are expanding the scope of their activity. Given the complicated military-political situation, effective interaction between our defense ministries is relevant as never before," Shoigu said.
Belarus is Russia's "closest neighbor and a reliable military ally," he said.
"Our countries speak with one voice on international and regional security issues and are interacting successfully in building a collective defense system. The high level of partnership allows us to bolster the military security of the Union State in a fast and effective manner," Shoigu said.