Russia Withdraws from Key Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Escalating Tensions with the United States.
In a major and deeply concerning development, the Kremlin has announced its decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a landmark arms control agreement signed in 1987. The move, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was presented as a direct retaliatory measure against the United States, which had recently deployed nuclear submarines close to Russia's territorial waters. This action effectively dismantles one of the last remaining pillars of nuclear arms control between the two nations, raising fears of a new arms race and a return to Cold War-era tensions.
The INF Treaty, which had been in effect for over three decades, was a crucial agreement that eliminated ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. Its abrogation marks a significant setback for global security and stability. Russia's stated reason for leaving the treaty—the US submarine deployment—is seen by many as a clear signal that the ongoing geopolitical competition between the two powers is taking a more dangerous turn. The withdrawal allows both countries to resume the development and deployment of new classes of missiles, a prospect that analysts say could dramatically increase the risk of miscalculation.
The decision has been met with condemnation from NATO and other international allies, who have called on both Russia and the US to exercise restraint. The breakdown of this treaty comes at a particularly volatile time, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and heightened tensions in the South China Sea. The lack of formal arms control agreements leaves a void that could be filled with a new and potentially destabilizing military buildup. The international community is now left to grapple with the possibility of a world with fewer rules governing the use and proliferation of devastating weaponry.
The political climate in both Washington and Moscow is likely to intensify as a result of this move. In the United States, the Trump administration's foreign policy will face renewed scrutiny, with critics questioning whether recent actions have inadvertently provoked this dangerous response from Russia. Meanwhile, President Putin will likely use the withdrawal to rally nationalist sentiment at home and project an image of strength abroad. The road to re-establishing trust and cooperation between these two nuclear powers now appears longer and more difficult than ever.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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