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Breaking: US is withdrawing from INF treaty - a major nuclear agreement with Russia.
Will suspend its obligations from tomorrow. Treaty will be terminated in 6 months unless Russia stops violating agreement.
Will suspend its obligations from tomorrow. Treaty will be terminated in 6 months unless Russia stops violating agreement.
Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, says Russia has “brazenly” and “shamelessly” violated terms of the agreement (which bans deployment of intermediate-range missiles).
Trump administration has been threatening to withdraw for some time. In dispute is a Russian missile which US says violates terms but Kremlin doesn't.
Talks have failed to reach consensus, hence announcement.
Talks have failed to reach consensus, hence announcement.
Key context - the treaty, signed 1987, is only between US and Russia. China not bound by its terms and increasingly seen as America's top geopolitical rival.
(John Bolton, Trump's nat security adviser, has been vocal critic of how INF is working right now.)
(John Bolton, Trump's nat security adviser, has been vocal critic of how INF is working right now.)
Pompeo: “When an agreement is so brazenly disregarded and our security is so openly threatened we must respond.”
...
“Russia has jeopardised the United States’s security interests and we can no longer be restricted by the treaty while Russia shamelessly violates it."
...
“Russia has jeopardised the United States’s security interests and we can no longer be restricted by the treaty while Russia shamelessly violates it."
More info from a briefing just now with senior administration officials....
China and Iran both have 1,000+ of the missiles which are banned by treaty. (Helps explain why US feels unfairly penned in, with Russia not complying).
China and Iran both have 1,000+ of the missiles which are banned by treaty. (Helps explain why US feels unfairly penned in, with Russia not complying).
Officials believe Russia acted unilaterally because of fears over regional allies.
They referenced a Feb 2007 speech from Putin where he said India, Iran, Pakistan, Israel, etc were developing these missiles.
They referenced a Feb 2007 speech from Putin where he said India, Iran, Pakistan, Israel, etc were developing these missiles.
Officials say Russia has been warned about its non-compliance since May 2013 (under Obama). There have been more than 35 "diplomatic engagements" to try to resolve problem. But it remains at an "impasse".
US officials reject suggestion they are starting a nuclear arms race.
“Let’s be clear. If there is an arms race it is Russia that has started it.”
... “We cannot be the only country bound by this treaty. What purpose does that serve?”
“Let’s be clear. If there is an arms race it is Russia that has started it.”
... “We cannot be the only country bound by this treaty. What purpose does that serve?”
Pentagon is already looking at "potential options" for missile deployment once treaty ends. But officials repeatedly stressed they are "some time away" from any decisions.
