DISINFO: The US is entirely responsible for the demise of the INF treaty
SUMMARY
The US is entirely responsible for the demise of the INF treaty. Its action has destructive consequences for the security of the US’s European allies.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming that the US is entirely responsible for the demise of the INF treaty. Russia bears primary responsibility for the end of the INF Treaty, because it has produced, tested and deployed the 9M729 missile, which violates it. In July 2014 the then-US President Obama officially accused Russia of testing a missile in violation of the INF Treaty, which prohibits the US and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5500 kilometers. In March 2017, a senior US military official accused Russia of deploying the new missile, which posed a threat to NATO and to facilities within the NATO area of responsibility. In a joint statement released after the meeting held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 December 2018, NATO Foreign Ministers stated that “Allies have concluded that Russia has developed and fielded a missile system, the 9M729, which violates the INF Treaty and poses significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security”. The US has gathered detailed information on Russia’s flight-testing of the 9M792 missile to distances well over 500 kilometers, and has spent almost six years in dialogues with Russia to try to resolve Russia’s non-compliance. However, Russia consistently refused to address US and NATO concerns.