The NATO states have for the first time consistently accused Russia of violating new nuclear cruise missiles against the INF Disarmament Treaty on Medium Range Weapons. Russia was called upon to restore full and immediate compliance with the treaty, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday evening after discussions with foreign ministers in Brussels.
The statement seeks to give Russia one final opportunity to end Nato's contravention of the rules of the treaty. If it does not, it could be decided, for example, at rocket level to expand missile defense in Europe. If Russia does not give in, this would also mean that the US could terminate the INF Treaty with political backing from the other Allies.
The planned procedure is considered a compromise among the NATO partners. As early as October, US President Donald Trump had already announced his intention to cancel the INF disarmament contract for new Russian 9M729 cruise missiles. However, NATO partners like Germany fear that this would be a fatal signal and trigger a new arms race. That's why they want to use every opportunity to save the deal.
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