The US has begun its withdrawal from the INF Treaty with Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would continue talking with Moscow about its alleged violations until the withdrawal process was finished.
The White House announced Friday it was withdrawing from a landmark Cold War-era missile treaty with Russia effective Saturday, raising the specter of a dangerous and costly arms race in Europe.
The withdrawal “will be completed in 6 months unless Russia comes back into compliance by destroying all of its violating missiles, launchers, and associated equipment,” the White House said in a statement.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) bans nuclear-capable missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,420 miles).
The United States and its European allies in the NATO military alliance, including Germany, say Russia’s 9M729 missile exceeds the 500 kilometer limit. Russia says the range is limited to 480 kilometers.
NATO backs US
“Russia is in material breach of the INF Treaty & must use next 6 months to return to full & verifiable compliance or bear sole responsibility for its demise,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
“NATO fully supports the US suspension & notification of withdrawal from the Treaty.”
Jens Stoltenberg ✔@jensstoltenberg Russia is in material breach of the #INFTreaty & must use next 6 months to return to full & verifiable compliance or bear sole responsibility for its demise. #NATO fully supports the US suspension & notification of withdrawal from the Treaty: http://bit.ly/2DNl6g5 82 2:45 PM – Feb 1, 2019
✔@jensstoltenberg
Russia is in material breach of the #INFTreaty & must use next 6 months to return to full & verifiable compliance or bear sole responsibility for its demise. #NATO fully supports the US suspension & notification of withdrawal from the Treaty: http://bit.ly/2DNl6g5
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her government would continue working with Russia during the 6-month notice period.
“It is clear to us that Russia has violated this treaty,” she said. “The important thing is to keep the window for dialogue open.”
Despite the move, the US was still willing to engage Russia on arms control, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
In December, the US said it would withdraw from the INF if failed to prove its compliance by February 2.
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