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The Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty demonstrates their continuing retreat from United States global moral leadership. nytimes.com/2019/02/01/us/…
Failing to come to a resolution with Russia for their violations makes us less safe. The U.S. should remain party to the treaty and work with the Russians toward a mutually beneficial agreement within the parameters of the treaty.
The President should affirm and rely upon the diplomatic arm of the United States’ national security apparatus. Negotiation takes hard work and tough decisions; walking away is not the answer.
Unbound by the restrictions imposed by the treaty, Russia will be free to build as many intermediate-range missiles they want, putting our European and NATO allies at direct risk of further Russian aggression.
This decision threatens the broader system of nonproliferation treaties the United States has spent decades building.
I urge the State Department to actively pursue negotiations with Russian counterparts to secure commitments before the treaty formally expires in six months.
Also, I urge State Department and administration officials to immediately brief members of Congress on the national security implications of pulling out of the treaty, and how they plan to preserve and protect remaining global nonproliferation equities moving forward.
