DISINFO: The US decided to change global security system by blaming collapse of the INF treaty on Russia
SUMMARY
The United States decided to reformat the global security system in their favour. What is important here is the US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (the INF Treaty). This decision was first mentioned by President Trump in October 2018. What is absolutely not surprising is that they had found “weighty” arguments to justify this decision. Allegedly, back in 2008, Russia developed a missile that can cover a distance of over 500 km. Moscow’s arguments that the “suspicious” missile 9M729 has a much smaller flight range have been simply ignored by Washington.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about 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 the agreement. 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 or Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of between 500 and 5500 kilometres. 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 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." US and NATO have repeatedly engaged with Russia to preserve the INF treaty. For background on pro-Kremlin myths on the INF Treaty see here. The recent "Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty" noted that "Russia today remains in violation of the INF Treaty, despite years of U.S. and Allied engagement, including a final opportunity over six months to honour its treaty obligations. Russia bears sole responsibility for the demise of the Treaty."