The White House
“Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement, so we’re going to terminate the agreement. We’re going to pull out.” – President Donald J. Trump
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO ARMS CONTROL: President Donald J. Trump is taking decisive action to hold Russia to account for its violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
- Violations must have consequences. After nearly 6 years and over 30 meetings attempting to convince Russia to return to compliance with the INF Treaty, enough is enough.
- At President Trump’s direction, the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty effective February 2, 2019.
- The United States will also deliver formal notice on February 2, 2019 to Russia and other Treaty Parties that the United States intends to withdraw from the INF Treaty in 6 months.
- Only Russia’s complete and verifiable destruction of its INF-violating missiles, their launchers, and associated equipment can save the INF Treaty.
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR OUR MILITARY: President Trump is ensuring that our military is no longer disadvantaged by a treaty that—while once great—is now broken.
- The United States has adhered to the INF Treaty for over 30 years, but we will not remain constrained while Russia cheats.
- Russia has produced and fielded multiple battalions of its INF-violating, nuclear-capable missile, which threaten our allies and troops in Europe and Asia.
- Once suspension is in effect, the United States will move forward with developing its own intermediate-range, conventionally-armed, ground-launched missile system.
- In addition to Russia, China and Iran each possess more than 1,000 INF Treaty-range missiles.
WORKING IN CONCERT WITH NATO AND ALLIES: President Trump is working with allies to confront Russia’s violation and support effective arms control.
- Allies have supported the United States at every step because they understand the threat posed by Russia’s violating missile system.
- After close consultation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other allies in December, President Trump gave Russia a 60-day opportunity to return to compliance.
- Russia has wasted that time and refuses to even acknowledge its violation.
- The United States will continue to work within NATO and with other allies and partners to ensure our collective security.
- The United States remains committed to effective arms control that advances U.S., allied, and partner security, but it must be verifiable and enforceable and include partners that comply responsibly with their obligations.
