US suspends INF Treaty: Trump says will work on ‘military response’ options

Washington, Feb 2: Friday marked a massive day in international affairs as the US decided to withdraw from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia that had made a key contribution to disarmament in the Cold War era and towards ending the war starting Saturday, February 2.

US President Donald Trump said in a statement on Friday, February 1, that Washington will work on several options related to a military response to the Kremlin's violations of its obligations under the INF Treaty which was signed in 1987 to nullify the latter's advantages.

"Tomorrow, the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty and begin the process of withdrawing from the INF Treaty, which will be completed in six months unless Russia comes back into compliance by destroying all of its violating missiles, launchers, and associated equipment. Our NATO Allies fully support us, because they understand the threat posed by Russia's violation and the risks to arms control posed by ignoring treaty violations," the statement said.

Trump said the US could not afford to remain the only side unilaterally bound by the treaty and said the US will work with the Nato and other allies besides developing its own military response options to deny Russia any military advantage "from its unlawful conduct".

The US president also said that his administration remained committed to effective arms control.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced on Friday that the US would suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty on February 2.