US Withdraws From Nuclear Missile Treaty With Russia

CNN reports:

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday that the US is withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a key pact with Russia that has been a centerpiece of European security since the Cold War.

“For years, Russia has violated the terms of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty without remorse,” Pompeo said at the State Department Friday. The decision raises concerns about a renewed arms race with Moscow and has put European allies on edge.

ABC News reports:

President Donald Trump issued a statement saying Russia had violated the INF Treaty with “impunity.”

“For far too long, Russia has violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with impunity, covertly developing and fielding a prohibited missile system that poses a direct threat to our allies and troops abroad.

“Tomorrow, the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty and begin the process of withdrawing from the INF Treaty, which will be completed in 6 months unless Russia comes back into compliance by destroying all of its violating missiles, launchers, and associated equipment,” the statement read.

JUST IN: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the US is withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a key pact with Russia that has been a centerpiece of European security since the Cold War https://t.co/apyKxxWwLS pic.twitter.com/BjJC0gELdJ

— CNN (@CNN) February 1, 2019