Russia demands U.S. destroy missile defence systems in Romania, strike drones

Russia's Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that the United States should destroy its MK-41 missile defence launch systems deployed in Romania in order to return to compliance with a Cold War-era nuclear pact. It said Washington should also destroy its strike drones for the same reason.

The ministry said it had summoned the U.S. embassy's military attache to hand him a note containing Moscow's demand. Russia suspended the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty at the weekend after Washington announced it would withdraw in six months unless Russia ended what it says were violations of the pact. Moscow denies flouting the treaty. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber Editing by Andrew Osborn)