US formally withdraws from 1987 INF nuclear treaty with Russia
2 Aug, 2019
The United States formally withdrew from a landmark nuclear missile pact with Russia on Friday. Washington “will not remain party to a treaty that is deliberately violated by Russia,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement about the US withdrawal.
The 1987 arms control accord, known as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, bans either side from stationing short- and intermediate-range, land-based missiles in Europe.
Senior US administration officials said Moscow had deployed “multiple battalions” of a Russian cruise missile throughout the country in violation of the pact, “with the ability to strike critical European targets,” Reuters said. Moscow denies the allegation, saying the missile’s range puts it outside the treaty, and has accused the US of inventing a false pretext to exit a treaty Washington wants to leave anyway so it can develop new missiles.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that the operation of the INF Treaty has been terminated at the initiative of the US as of August 2. Moscow also called on the US to implement a moratorium on deploying intermediate-range
Published at https://www.rt.com/newsline/465637-us-withdraws-inf-treaty/
Gorbachev says US decision to quit INF will result in ‘chaos’
2 Aug, 2019
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has lamented the US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which he once signed with US counterpart Ronald Reagan, saying it would undermine international security.
The first and only president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, said that by pulling out of the 1987 treaty, the US is dealing a potentially crushing blow not only to European security, but to the entire international security system.
“The termination of the treaty will hardly be beneficial for the international community, this move undermines security not only in Europe, but in the whole world,” Gorbachev, 88, told Interfax on Friday.
Read more at https://www.rt.com/news/465613-gorbachev-inf-nuclear-proliferation/
US to develop new missiles as INF treaty expires
2 Aug, 2019
The Pentagon announced that the US intends to develop conventional ground-based missiles previously banned under the INF arms control treaty, on the very day it expired following Washington’s unilateral exit.
“Now that we have withdrawn, the Department of Defense will fully pursue the development of these ground-launched conventional missiles,” a Pentagon spokesman said in an emailed statement on Friday.
Read more at https://www.rt.com/news/465681-us-missile-development-inf/
Moscow urges US to halt arms deployment after INF Treaty withdrawal
Aug 2, 2019
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow has asked Washinton for a moratorium on the deployment of short and intermediate-range nuclear missiles, speaking in the Russian capital on Friday after the US had formally withdrawn from the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty.
“Russia showed utmost responsibility for European and global security, declaring through President Putin’s statement a unilateral moratorium for fielding of this type of capabilities,” said Ryabkov.
“The US should decide what paths to follow. We propose that would be the path of restraint and responsibility,” he added.
Read more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMcYhDNZwlM
