Moscow – Russia has formally withdrawn from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing security concerns driven by Western actions, particularly U.S. missile deployments. The decision, announced on Monday, marks a significant escalation in tensions between Russia and Western nations, further straining global security dynamics.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the conditions necessary for adhering to the treaty have “disappeared” due to actions by Western countries, which it claims pose a “direct threat” to Russia’s security. Specifically, Moscow pointed to the U.S. deployment of a Typhon missile launcher in the Philippines and missile exercises during the Talisman Sabre operations in Australia as key factors in its decision. The ministry declared that Russia no longer considers itself bound by the self-imposed restrictions it had previously adopted under the treaty.
Signed in 1987, the INF Treaty prohibited ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The agreement was a cornerstone of arms control during the Cold War but collapsed in 2019 when the United States withdrew, accusing Russia of violating its terms. Moscow denied these allegations and countered that the U.S. was developing prohibited missiles, a charge that further eroded trust between the two powers.
The announcement comes amid heightened friction between Washington and Moscow. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he had ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to unspecified regions as a response to what he called “highly provocative comments” by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump did not clarify whether the submarines were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, nor did he disclose their locations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by AFP, emphasized Russia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation but urged caution in nuclear rhetoric.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the treaty’s collapse could significantly undermine global security frameworks. The move follows Trump’s recent ultimatum demanding that Russia halt its military operations in Ukraine or face new sanctions, adding to the already volatile geopolitical landscape.
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