ARMS RACE BACK ON
Trump to Begin Withdrawal From Nuclear Arms Pact With Russia
The Trump administration is expected to announce Friday that it’s formally withdrawing from a key agreement with Russia that has kept the development of nuclear missiles in check since the days of the Cold War.
The pact, known as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, has banned ground-launched cruise missiles with a range between 500 kilometers and 5,000 kilometers since it was signed in 1987. The U.S. has accused Russia of violating the treaty with the development of a new missile—a charge that the Kremlin denies. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in early December that Washington would give Moscow 60 days to destroy the missile—that deadline expires Saturday.
The Associated Press reports that withdrawal will be announced Friday morning. Leaving the pact will allow the Trump administration to counter the fear that China, which is not restricted by the 1987 treaty, has gained a significant military advantage. Last-ditch talks this week to save the treaty failed.
Read it at AP
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