Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he will pull out of a nuclear pact within six months after the US withdrew from the Cold War-era treaty.
Putin accused the US of breaching a nuclear arms pact after the US suspended the treaty and said Russia would follow suit, threatening to start working on new missiles.
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Friday that he is suspending compliance with the treaty, with a threat to pull out completely in six months.
In his announcement, he gave Russia a final chance to save the deal, adding: "Countries must be held accountable for their actions."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo | Image: Andrew Harnik/AP/Press Association Images
But during a meeting with foreign and defence ministers on Saturday morning Mr Putin hit back, saying Russia is suspending the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and will start working on new missiles, including supersonic ones.
He also told his ministers not to initiate disarmament talks with the White House.
Mr Putin said: "Our American partners have announced they are suspending their participation in the deal, and we are also suspending our participation.
"We will wait until our partners have matured enough to conduct an equal, meaningful dialogue with us on this important topic."
He said Russia would not deploy intermediate-range missiles unless the US does.
NATO has already said it "fully supports" the US, adding: "Allies regret that Russia, as part of its broader pattern of behaviour, continues to deny its INF Treaty violation, refuses to provide any credible response, and has taken no demonstrable steps toward returning to full and verifiable compliance."
China's government appealed to both nations to maintain the treaty.
The country's foreign ministry warned there could be "adverse consequences" after the Trump administration withdrew from the treaty.
A ministry statement said: "China is opposed to the US withdrawal and urges the US and Russia to properly resolve differences through constructive dialogue."
