Moscow Blames NATO and US Submarine Deployment for Ending Historic Arms Pact
Russia Exits INF Treaty, Citing Direct Security Threats from the West
Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, Russia has officially declared its withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing increasing threats from the United States and NATO. The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s recent order to deploy two nuclear submarines near Russian waters, signaling a hardening stance in the standoff over Ukraine.
Key Highlights of the Development
- Treaty Exit Justified by Security Concerns:
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the “conditions for maintaining the moratorium” no longer exist, blaming the West’s buildup of missile capabilities. - US Submarine Deployment Sparks Escalation:
Days before the announcement, President Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be “positioned in the appropriate regions,” a move Russia views as provocative. - Medvedev Warns of Further Action:
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, accused NATO of fueling instability. He warned of “further steps” by Moscow in response to the new security landscape.
Russia’s Statement on the INF Withdrawal
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry:
“The West’s build-up of destabilizing missile potentials creates a direct threat to our country’s security… the conditions for maintaining a unilateral moratorium have disappeared.”
US-Russia INF History and Fallout
- The INF Treaty, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, eliminated all ground-launched nuclear missiles with ranges between 500–5,500 kilometers.
- The US withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing alleged Russian violations.
- Since then, Russia had observed a self-imposed moratorium—until now.
Background: What Triggered This Move
- Donald Trump’s Nuclear Posturing:
On Friday, President Trump revealed that he had ordered the movement of two nuclear-armed submarines to strategic locations, following comments by Medvedev warning of the potential for direct war. - Medvedev’s Response:
He characterized the situation as “a new reality,” adding: “This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps.” - Lavrov’s Earlier Signal:
In December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hinted at the possibility of treaty breakdown, citing U.S. and NATO actions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
What This Means for Global Security
- A return to Cold War-era posturing now seems more likely, with both sides preparing for the deployment of medium- and short-range nuclear weapons.
- The collapse of nuclear arms agreements like the INF Treaty increases the risk of miscalculations and rapid escalations between the nuclear powers
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