Reuters: U.S. to stop complying with nuclear pact with Russia after talks flop
BEIJING/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States will stop complying with a landmark nuclear pact with Russia as soon as this weekend after last-ditch talks with Moscow to save it fell flat, a senior U.S. arms control official said on Thursday.
Washington has long accused Russia of flouting the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), alleging that a new Russian missile, the Novator 9M729, called the SSC-8 by NATO, violates the pact, which bans either side from stationing short- and intermediate-range, land-based missiles in Europe.
Russia denies that, saying the missile’s range puts it outside the treaty, and has accused the United States of inventing a false pretext to exit a treaty Washington wants to leave anyway so as to develop new missiles. It has also rejected a U.S. demand to destroy the new missile.
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WNU Editor: The U.S. will withdraw from the INF treaty this Saturday. I am just surprised that aside from nuclear arms control advocates, there has been very little political opposition in Washington against President Trump on this decision. It appears that the Democrats are more focused on this .... Top Democrats introduce bill to prevent US from striking first with nuclear weapons (Stars and Stripes/Washington Post).
More News On The Collapse Of The INF Treaty
INF Treaty talks between Russia and the U.S. fail at summit -- NBC
Trump to abandon arms pact with Russia as soon as Saturday, US official says -- The Hill
Fears of a renewed nuclear arms race with Russia spike as weapons pact teeters on deadline -- Washington Times
The U.S. will quit this nuclear treaty with Russia “this weekend,” official says -- Vice News
Russia says 'no progress' in settling INF Treaty disputes with U.S. -- CGTN