DISINFO: Washington did not provide evidence of Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty
SUMMARY
Naturally, Americans are trying to justify their decisions and claim that Russia is a violator of the INF Treaty, that it allegedly “developed the weapon” prohibited by the Treaty, i.e. Novator 9M729 missile. However, there have been no serious arguments provided by Washington to prove their position, and, most likely, the accusations of having “prohibited weapon” addressed to troublesome countries have become a sort of a business card of the American diplomacy.
RESPONSE
A recurring Kremlin-backed narrative denying Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty. See a similar case here. NATO stated that Russia bears sole responsibility for the demise of the INF Treaty because it has produced, tested and deployed the 9M729 missile, which violates the Treaty. In July 2014, then-US President Obama officially accused Russia of testing a missile in violation of the INF Treaty, which prohibits the US or Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range between 500 and 5500 kilometres. The US and NATO have repeatedly engaged with Russia to preserve the INF treaty. In a joint statement released after the meeting held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 4 and 5 December 2018, NATO Foreign Ministers stated that "the United States has remained in full compliance with its obligations under the INF Treaty since it entered into force" and that "Russia has developed and fielded a missile system, the 9M729, which violates the INF Treaty and poses significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security."