DISINFO: The US has violated the INF Treaty and refused to discuss with Russia
SUMMARY
While failing to provide any evidence that Russia has violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), the US, itself, has been in breach of the Treaty. We know what the Americans have violated and we pointed to these three issues: missile launchers, target missiles and drones. But they refused to discuss their violations.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the INF Treaty. The US government has issued repeated rebuttals of Russian accusations of US non-compliance with INF Treaty (see the latest press release of US Mission to NATO here). All three issues mentioned (the Aegis ashore missile defence systems, ballistic target missiles and armed unmanned aerial vehicles) have also been discussed with Russia through the Treaty’s Special Verification Commission and other forums. NATO has repeatedly confirmed that US is not in violation of the Treaty. In July 2018, the NATO Brussels Summit Declaration stated that “The United States is in compliance with its obligations under the INF Treaty and continues to provide substantial transparency on its programs while pursuing a diplomatic dialogue with Russia”. Similar disinformation cases can be seen here and here.