Russia, China ask U.N Security Council meeting after US missile launch

Russia and China requested U.N Security Council to hold a meeting on Thursday as US has recently fired its medium – range ground – launched cruise missile after withdrawing from the Intermediate – range Nuclear Force (INF) treaty.

The US's medium - range ground - launched missile test (photo: The Guardian)

Russia and China have demanded a meeting from U.N Security Council on Thursday for “statements by U.S. officials on their plans to develop and deploy medium-range missiles” and want to bring 15 – member council under agenda item “threats to international peace and security”, as Reuters reported.

Russia and China also asked the U.N disarmament affairs chief Izumi Nakamitsu to brief the body.

The new move of Russia and China came after the US’s announcement to conduct its medium – range ground – launched cruise missile test with “more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) flights following its withdrawal from the INF treaty, signed with Soviet Union in the Cold – War era.

Russia had had its opposed words to accuse the US of starting escalating tension after the missile test.

Furthermore, according to The Guardian, China also said the missile test of the US may create “another round of arms race” and give a warning that this US’s action could leave “serious negative impact” to international and regional security.

However Mark Esper, the US Defense Secretary of Defense told Fox News Channel in the interview that the test was a message of the US to send to Russia, China and North Korea and shared the concern about China

He said “We want to make sure that we, as we need to, have the capability to deter Chinese bad behavior by having our own capability to be able to strike at intermediate ranges".

In addition, he considered the Russia’s rocket blast on August 9 had a link to its hypersonic cruise missile program.

“Clearly they are trying to expand their strategic nuclear arsenal to deal with the United States”, said Esper.

He added “Right now Russia has possibly nuclear-tipped ... INF-range cruise missiles facing toward Europe, and that’s not a good thing”.

Reuters, Aljazeera, The Guardian ( Van Nguyen )