U.S. signals policy decision soon on Russian arms treaty allegations

By Phil Stewart and Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis signaled on Friday Washington might soon decide how to respond to what it says are Russian violations of a Cold War-era arms control agreement, saying the United States was conferring with allies. Washington and Moscow have long questioned each other's commitment to the INF treaty, which banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500-5,500 km (300-3,400 miles). The United States has accused Moscow of developing and fielding a ground-launched cruise missile, in violation of its INF Treaty obligations.