Nuclear ultimatum: US gives Russia 60-day deadline to dismantle new missiles, or it will withdraw from key cold war arms treaty
- The US and Nato say Russia’s 9M729 missile system violates the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev
The United States warned Russia on Tuesday it will withdraw from a major cold war treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms if Moscow does not dismantle missiles that Washington says breach it within 60 days.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would no longer be bound by the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty unless Moscow withdraws a new system that has threatened to trigger an arms race.
Nato said it was now “up to Russia” to save the deal, seen by many as an important part of the global arms control architecture, and alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said it was time to prepare for its demise.
“The United States today declares Russia in material breach of the treaty and we will suspend our obligations as a remedy in 60 days unless Russia returns to full and verifiable compliance,” Pompeo said after talks with fellow Nato foreign ministers.
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“Russia’s actions gravely undermine American national security and that of our allies and partners. It makes no sense for the United States to remain in a treaty that constrains our ability to respond to Russia’s violations.”