President Putin Revokes Russia's Ratification Of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

 

Daily Mail: Putin revokes Russia's ratification of nuclear test ban treaty - after warning he was 'not ready to say' if he will carry out live nuke tests 

* Treaty outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons 

Russian President Vladimir Putin today signed a law revoking Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. 

The 1996 treaty outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons, though it never came into force because some key countries - including the United States and China - never ratified it.

The West has accused Russia of using reckless nuclear rhetoric since it launched its offensive on Ukraine last February.  

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President Putin Revokes Russia's Ratification Of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 

Putin signs law on Russia's withdrawal from CTBT ratification -- TASS 

Putin changes Russia’s obligations on nuclear test ban -- RT  

Vladimir Putin Signs Bill Revoking Ratification of CTBT -- Sputnik 

Putin Signs Law Revoking Nuclear Test Ban Treaty -- Moscow Times 

Putin signs bill revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban treaty -- AP 

Russia Pulled Out of a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Here's What That Means. -- Reuters  

Putin revokes Russia’s ratification of nuclear test ban treaty -- Al Jazeera

US President Biden Says Russian President Putin Made A 'Big Mistake' On New START Treaty

U.S. President Joe Biden at the Bucharest Nine summit in Warsaw on February 22.  

Daily Mail: Biden says Putin has made a 'BIG MISTAKE' in suspending vital nuclear arms control treaty: Tensions between world's two biggest arsenals grow as U.S. president meets European allies 

* The New START treaty limits the deployment of strategic nuclear warheads 

* Putin on Tuesday said he was suspending Russian involvement in the deal 

* 'Big mistake,' said Biden a day later as he met with Eastern European allies 

President Joe Biden on Wednesday condemned Vladimir Putin's decision to suspend Russian cooperation with the last remaining U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control treaty, further escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow.

Putin made the announcement in his state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday, as he railed against the West. 

A day later, Biden was asked for his response just ahead of a meeting with Eastern European allies in Warsaw. 'Big mistake,' was his terse response.  

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WNU Editor: Russia's parliament has just approved the suspension of START .... Russian lawmakers endorse suspension of nuclear pact with US (ABC News/AP). 

 As to what is my take on Russia suspending START. Anyone who knows anything about nuclear arms control understands how dangerous this move by Moscow is. Even though the Kremlin has stated that they will still abide by the limits imposed by START, I cannot help but feel that this will only be the first step in a new nuclear arms race. 

US President Biden Says Russian President Putin Made A 'Big Mistake' On New START Treaty  

Biden: Putin’s suspension of US arms treaty ‘big mistake’ -- AP  

Biden says Putin made a 'big mistake' on New START treaty -- NBC  

Biden calls Putin’s New START suspension a ‘big mistake’ -- The Hill

 Biden calls Putin's New START suspension a 'big mistake.’ What is the nuclear arms treaty? -- USA Today

Russia Suspends Its Participation In New START Treaty

 

RT: Russia suspends last nuclear treaty with US  

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the country’s temporary withdrawal from the New START Treaty  

Moscow is suspending its participation in the last remaining nuclear treaty between Russia and the US, President Vladimir Putin has announced. During his key address to the Russian parliament on Tuesday, he noted that Moscow will not exit the New START Treaty, but is temporarily withdrawing.  

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WNU Editor:  This is definitely not a good day for nuclear arms control.

 Russia Suspends Its Participation In New START Treaty  

Russia suspends its participation in New START treaty — Putin -- TASS  

Putin Announces Suspension of New START Treaty, Orders New Strategic Systems Be Put on Combat Duty -- Sputnik  

Russia suspends only remaining major nuclear treaty with US -- AP 

Putin delivers nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine -- Reuters  

Putin says Russia will halt participation in New Start nuclear arms treaty -- The Guardian  

Putin says Russia will suspend role in New START nuclear accord with U.S. -- Washington Post 

Putin suspends nuclear arms treaty, adding to tensions with US on Ukraine war anniversary -- USA Today 

Russia suspends participation in New START nuclear treaty with US, Putin says -- FOX News  

Putin pulls back from last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the US -- CNN  

Putin announces Russia is suspending nuclear arms deal with US in stark warning over war on Ukraine -- The Independent  

Vladimir Putin suspends last nuclear treaty with US, puts new missiles on combat duty -- ABC News

 Australia 

Putin: Russia to suspend participation in last remaining nuclear treaty with U.S. -- Axios

Is A Short Extension Of The Nuclear Arms Pact With Russia In The Works?

Bryan Bender, Politico: White House weighs shorter extension of nuclear arms pact with Russia

The option is part of a strategy that would also seek a broader agreement with Moscow that possibly includes China.

The Trump administration is weighing a face-saving strategy for keeping an Obama-era nuclear treaty from expiring while it pursues a more sweeping arms pact with both Russia and China, according to current and former administration officials with direct knowledge of the deliberations.

Under the plan, the White House would temporarily extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty while seeking a new agreement with Moscow that also tries to convince China to come to the table, they said.

The diplomatic formula is viewed at the State Department and National Security Council as a promising way to both prevent New START from expiring in February and getting Russia to agree — at least in principle — to more comprehensive limits on nuclear arms.

"Both approaches are available, or a mix thereof," said a State Department spokesperson who asked not to be named.

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WNU Editor: The focus for both countries is to recover from the pandemic that is now engulfing both countries. A nuclear arms race is not what both countries need right now. I for one would not be surprised to hear that an extension of START will be announced in the coming months.

U.S. Wants A Three-Way Arms Control Pact With Russia And China

DW: US seeks three-way arms control pact with Russia and China

Washington is pushing for talks with the Kremlin and Beijing on forming a pact. President Trump has already intimated he wants China to join the US and Russia in a fresh deal when the pair's current arrangement expires.

Missile launch in San Nicolas, United States (picture-alliance/dpa/Scott Howe/The Defense Department of the US)

The White House is trying to broker a three-way arms control pact with Russia and China, a senior administration official said Friday.

A proposed meeting between the three nations is expected to also include the leaders of Britain and France, the remaining countries that make up the so-called P5, the UN Security Council's five permanent members.

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WNU Editor: It's not going to happen. China has made it very clear that they are not interested .... China Is Not Interested In Doing Any Nuclear Missile Deal (February 17, 2019).

Russian President Putin: Ready To Extend New START Arms Control Treaty Without Conditions

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the International Volunteer Forum at the Olympic Park in Sochi, Russia December 5, 2019. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

RT: Russia ready to extend New START arms control treaty without conditions and further discussions – Putin

Moscow is ready to extend the last major nuclear arms control treaty, without conditions or discussions, President Vladimir Putin said as he reiterated Russia’s position on the New START treaty which expires in 2021.

“Russia is ready to immediately, as soon as possible, before the end of the year, extend the New START treaty without any preconditions, so that there would be no double, triple interpretation of our position later. I’m saying this officially,” the Russian president pointed out.

The New START treaty, which obliges Moscow and Washington to reduce the number of its strategic nuclear missile launchers by half, was signed in April 2010. The agreement expires in February 2021, but there’s an option for it to be extended until 2026.

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WNU Editor: I can understand why the US abandoned the INF treaty .... China is the new player on the scene, and they are under no restrictions on the number of intermediate nuclear missiles that they can deploy. START is different. It involves strategic nuclear missiles, and the U.S. and Russia are the only real game in town. But this offer from Russian President Putin is going to fall on deaf ears. The White House is focused on impeachment, and after that it will be the Presidential election. It will be only after the US Presidential election that Putin can expect any progress on this file, and that is if President Trump wins re-election.

More News On Russian President Putin's Offer To Extend New START Arms Control Treaty Without Conditions

Russia is willing to extend New START nuclear treaty, Putin says -- AP
Putin says Russia ready to extend New START nuclear arms treaty -- Reuters
Putin seeks rapid renewal of key nuclear deal with US -- AFP
Putin offers immediate extension of key nuclear treaty -- The Hill
Russia Ready To Extend New START Arms Pact "Without Preconditions" By Year-End: Putin -- Zero Hedge

President Trump: U.S. And Russia Want A New Treaty On Nuclear Weapons

U.S. Missile Defense Agency

Reuters: U.S. and Russia want a new treaty on nuclear weapons: Trump

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the United States and Russia wanted to reach a new treaty agreement on nuclear weapons.

“Frankly, the whole situation with nuclear is not a good situation,” Trump said ahead of NATO leaders summit.

“We ended the treaty because it wasn’t being adhered to by the other side. But they want to make a treaty and so do we and I think it would be a great thing. I think it’s one of the most important things we can do, frankly.”

Trump said China was interested in joining the talks.

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Update: State Department Says US May Announce Plans on New Start Treaty With Russia Soon (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: The Russian media is skeptical on this talk of a new nuclear treaty .... ‘Some good things can happen’: At NATO, Trump talks nuclear deals with Russia & China but his record tells another story (RT). I am skeptical that the Chinese are interested in getting into a nuclear arms treaty with the U.S.. On a positive note .... Senior U.S. official: Russia in compliance with New START weapons treaty (Reuters).

U.S. Formally Withdraws From The INF Nuclear Treaty With Russia

ABC News Online: US pulls out of decades-long nuclear missile pact with Russia claiming they violated treaty

The United States has formally withdrawn from a landmark nuclear missile pact with Russia saying Moscow was in violation of the treaty, something the Kremlin has repeatedly denied.

The 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) was negotiated by then-US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

It banned land-based missiles with a range of between 500-5,500 kilometres, thus reducing both countries' abilities to launch a nuclear strike at short notice.

Washington signalled it would pull out of the arms control treaty six months ago unless Moscow stuck to the accord.

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WNU Editor: I think there is a China angle besides a Russian one on why the U.S. withdrew from the treaty .... INF nuclear treaty: Trump says new pact should include China (BBC). By ending the treaty the U.S. can now proceed with the development of a new nuclear missile that can be deployed to Asia .... US to test new missile as arms treaty with Russia ends (AP). More here .... SECDEF: US has withdrawn from INF, will ‘fully pursue’ development of new missile systems (Defense News/AP).

More News On The U.S. Formally Withdrawing From The INF Nuclear Treaty With Russia

US formally withdraws from nuclear treaty with Russia and prepares to test new missile -- CNN
US Leaves INF Treaty, Says Russia ‘Solely Responsible’ -- VOA
US Exit From INF Treaty is a 'Grave Mistake' – Russian Foreign Ministry -- Sputnik
US and Russia trade blame for ending INF arms treaty -- DW
Demise of US-Russia nuclear treaty fuels fears of new arms race -- AFP
The US just withdrew from an important nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Don’t panic — yet. -- Alex Ward, VOX
Will we see a new arms race? That depends on Russia, says NATO chief -- Martin Banks, Defense News
The end of the Reagan-era INF treaty could start a US-Russia arms race, critics say -- David Jackson and Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY

China Will Not Join US, Russia In Nuclear Arms Talks

DF-5B ICBM

Xinhuanet: China won't join talks on trilateral nuclear disarmament deal: FM

BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- China will not participate in negotiations on any trilateral nuclear disarmament agreement, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.

The United States recently raised the possibility of reaching a trilateral arms control deal with Russia and China, according to media reports.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang dismissed such a possibility at a press briefing. "China unswervingly follows a path of peaceful development and upholds a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. Our defense spending is reasonable and moderate. Our nuclear forces have been at the lowest level of national security needs and are not on the same scale with the United States and Russia."

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WNU Editor: Not surprised by this response. As commented last week, China has never shown any interest to get into any nuclear arms agreement with the U.S. and Russia.

More News On China Stating That They Will Not Join US & Russia In Nuclear Arms Talks

China says it won't take part in trilateral nuclear arms talks -- Reuters
China dismisses suggestion it will join US, Russia in nuclear arms talks -- The Hill
China Refuses to Join Talks on New Nuke Deal With Russia, US Proposed by Trump -- Sputnik

NATO Commanders Discussing A Response To 'A World With More Russian Missiles'

NBC: With no INF treaty, NATO is planning for more Russian missiles in Europe

Moscow is "deploying nuclear-capable missiles in Europe with very short warning times," the head of the alliance also warned.

BRUSSELS — NATO commanders are considering options in the “military domain” to counter Russia’s alleged violation of a nuclear weapons treaty, the head of the alliance said Tuesday.

During a wide-ranging interview with NBC News, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previewed an aggressive approach to Moscow ahead of a NATO gathering in Brussels this week.

He also told NBC News that NATO has discussed the possibility of a troop drawdown in Afghanistan as part of a peace deal with the Taliban.

On Russia, Stoltenberg said that NATO's "first priority" is to save the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, which Washington is walking away from because it says Moscow has deployed a banned missile.

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More News On NATO Discussing A Response To 'A World With More Russian Missiles'

NATO Defence Ministers meet to address Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty -- NATO
After Trump’s treaty withdrawal, NATO is getting ready for a Russia with a lot more missiles -- Military Times
NATO chief says allies keen to avoid arms race with Russia -- FOX News/AP
NATO to Respond if Russia Doesn't Fulfill Duties Under INF Treaty - Stoltenberg -- Sputnik
NATO Discussing Its Response To 'A World With More Russian Missiles' -- RFE
NATO Prepares for World Where Russia Deploys More Nuclear-capable Missiles in Europe, Secretary General Says -- Newsweek
Europe must avoid another East-West missile race -- Paul Taylor, Politico.eu
The end of an era? The INF Treaty, New START, and the future of strategic stability -- Frank A. Rose, Brookings

U.S. Will Probably Pull-Out Of The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Next Week

Defense News: With days to go before deadline, nuclear treaty seems doomed

WASHINGTON — A top American official today does not expect Russia will meet the demands of the Trump administration before a Feb. 2 deadline, when America will begin withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty.

Asked if she was optimistic Russia would meet the U.S. deadline, Andrea Thompson, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, was blunt: “I’m not.”

The INF Treaty, signed between the U.S. and Russia in 1987, bans all land-based cruise missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. While the Obama administration had accused Moscow of violating the agreement by deploying such systems, most notably with the Novator 9M729 design, Pentagon officials, including former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, have been more vocal under the Trump administration about their concerns.

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Update #1: State Dept: US likely to pull out of Cold War-era arms treaty as deadline looms (The Hill)
Update #2: US Ready to Pull Out of Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia Next Week (Military.com)

WNU Editor: There will be one last attempt next week to save the treaty .... U.S. has offered to hold arms control talks with Russia: official (Reuters).

Russian President Putin Warns Of A New Nuclear Arms Race

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

The Guardian: Putin threatens arms race if US dumps nuclear treaty

Russia would also build new medium-range missiles if the US were to do so, says president

Vladimir Putin has threatened that Russia will develop new missiles banned by the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty if the US exits the pact and pursues an arms buildup of its own.

The Russian president’s remarks came one day after the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said Moscow was in “material breach” of the cold war-era treaty and issued a 60-day ultimatum for Russia to correct the alleged violations. Otherwise, he said, the US would quit the 1987 accord, considered a milestone in reducing the threat of a nuclear war in Europe.

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WNU Editor: The last thing that the world needs right now is another nuclear arms race. But with both sides not even talking, I have doubts that the INF treaty can be saved. My only hope is that both sides do not make the decision to expand their nuclear arsenals.

More News On Russian President Putin Warning Of A New Nuclear Arms Race

Putin: If US develops banned missiles, so will Russia -- AP
Russia will build missiles if US leaves treaty, Putin warns -- BBC
Putin threatens to develop nuclear missiles banned by US-Russia treaty -- AFP
Putin: Russia will make banned missiles if U.S. exits arms treaty -- Reuters
Putin rejects US claim Russia breaking arms treaty -- AFP
Putin: Russia Opposes Destruction of INF Treaty, But Will React in Proper Manner -- Sputnik
Russia opposes breaking INF Treaty but will have to respond if US withdraws, says Putin -- TASS

Russian Diplomat: Russia Is Prepared For War Against The U.S.

Senior Russian arms control official Andrei Belousov (right)said Russia was 'preparing for war' after Trump announced the US would be withdrawing from the treaty

Sputnik: ‘Russia Prepares for War, US Prepares a War’ – Diplomat on INF Treaty Withdrawal

Russian diplomat Andrei Belousov confirmed Friday that Russia is preparing to defend its territory against any aggression, while the unilateral withdrawal from the INF Treaty by the US signals that Washington is preparing for such aggression.

Andrei Belousov, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Nonproliferation and Arms Control, commented on the US unilateral withdrawal from the INF Treaty by saying that Washington is "preparing a war," and that Russia has to get ready to defend its territory, principles and values.

"Recently at a meeting [of the committee], the US stated that Russia is preparing for war. Yes, Russia is preparing for war, I can confirm it," Belousov said after a failed UN First Committee vote on Russia's resolution in support of the INF.

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon is already issuing requests to build a missile once the termination of the INF agreement is official .... This Army Missile Might be the Pentagon’s First Post-INF Weapon (Defense One).

More News On Russia Saying That They Are Prepared For War Against The U.S.

Yes, Russia is getting ready for war – in case US attacks, diplomat tells UN -- RT
Russia issues chilling warning it is 'preparing for war' over the US withdrawal from landmark missile treaty -- Daily Mail
‘We are preparing for war’ Russia issues SHOCK warning over US withdrawal from INF Treaty -- Express
Putin Official: ‘Russia is Preparing for War’ -- Western Journal

China Will Not Join Any New INF Nuclear Missile Treaty With The U.S. And Russia

Sputnik: China Will Not Tolerate Blackmail on Joining INF Treaty

China will not tolerate blackmail in any form on the issue of the need for Beijing to join the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and urges the United States to think carefully before making any decision on the withdrawal from the agreement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

"We have paid attention to the relevant statement made by US President Donald Trump and his adviser John Bolton regarding China in the context of the INF treaty … China has always adhered to the defensive nature of its national defense policy and protects its own state interests. China will not tolerate any blackmail from any country," Hua Chunying said.

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WNU Editor: This analysis is spot on ..... Chinese missile buildup has also strained U.S.-Russia arms pact (Politico). I am old enough to remember when the first nuclear missile treaty was signed between the U.S. and the Soviet Union 30 years ago, and how pundits at the time were raising concerns that once China started building up its own nuclear arsenal, this treat may be come moot. It looks like that day has arrived. China will not stop its nuclear arsenal build-up. They see themselves as strategically weak when it comes to nuclear weapons, and they have been very blunt that they will not sign any future nuclear arms treaty that will limit their growth.

The U.S. Withdrawal From The INF Treaty Is Aimed At China -- News, Commentary, And Analysis

Mu Cui and Wesley Rahn, DW: INF Treaty: Would US dropout begin an arms race with China?

The strategic rivalry between the US and China in the Asia Pacific could heat up if both sides develop new nuclear weapons. Chinese media are already calling for Beijing to expand its nuclear deterrence capability.

Last Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced during a speech that the US would be pulling out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia.

Although China is not included in the landmark treaty, which prohibits the development of intermediate-range, ground-based nuclear and conventional missiles, Beijing is clearly being put under pressure by the potential expansion of US military capacity.

On Monday, US National Security Advisor John Bolton arrived in Moscow and reiterated that the US would begin developing intermediate-range weapons capability if Russia and China continued developing and testing similar weapons.

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The U.S. Withdrawal From The INF Treaty Is Aimed At China -- News, Commentary, And Analysis

China Says U.S. Should ‘Think Twice’ About Leaving Missile Pact -- Bloomberg
US must 'think twice' about nuclear treaty pullout: China -- AFP
Trump's missile treaty pullout could escalate tension with China -- Phil Stewart, Reuters
Why America Leaving the INF Treaty is China's New Nightmare -- Nathan Levine, National Interest
Trump’s Plan to Leave a Major Arms Treaty With Russia Might Actually Be About China -- Foreign Policy
Death of nuclear treaty with Russia could start arms race with China -- Harry J. Kazianis, The Hill
Chinese missile build-up has also strained US-Russia nuclear arms pact -- SCMP/Politico
Trump's INF Treaty Termination Puts China on Notice—At Last -- James Carafano, The National Interest
Pulling out of nuclear arms pact adds to US options to ‘erode Chinese advantage’ -- Kristin Huang, SCMP
Trump's Picking China as Pretext for Quitting INF is 'Utter Nonsense' – Analyst -- Sputnik
Trump May Revive the Cold War, but China Could Change the Dynamics -- The New York Times

Commentaries And Analysis On The U.S. Pulling Out Of The INF Treaty

ABC News: Trump says he's terminating a major nuclear treaty with Russia. Here's what you need to know.

As National Security Adviser John Bolton was in Moscow, where he's expected to inform Russian officials of the Trump administration’s intention to withdraw from a major nuclear arms agreement -- the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty -- President Trump himself said Monday it definitely would happen.

"I’m terminating the agreement because they violated the agreement," Trump told reporters in Washington. "I’m terminating the agreement," he repeated for emphasis.

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Commentaries And Analysis On The U.S. Pulling Out Of The INF Treaty

What Trump's Threat To End A U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Treaty Means For Putin -- Lucian Kim, NPR
Trump withdrawal from Russia nuclear pact plays into Putin’s hands -- David A. Andelman
Trump is creating a nuclear threat worse than the cold war -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian
Will Trump's withdrawal from nuclear treaty spark an arms race or Russian compliance? -- NBC
Trump INF: Back to a nuclear arms race? -- Jonathan Marcus, BBC
US quitting the INF treaty rekindle a big-power arms race? -- CSM Editorial
It’s Wrong to Abandon the INF Treaty -- Bloomberg
The end of INF: Another nuclear treaty bites the dust -- Alexander Gillespie, Al Jazeera
Deja Vu in Europe as Trump Quits Nuke Treaty (Op-ed) -- Moscow Times
Renegotiate the INF agreement, don't withdraw! -- Udo Bauer, DW
Trump was right to pull out of arms treaty, but not because of Russia -- John Lee, CNN
Trump's Withdrawal from the INF Treaty Formalized What Was Already True -- Salvatore Babones, National Interest
Killing our nuke treaty with Russia is only common sense -- Rich Lowry, NYPost
Trump may soon kill a US-Russia arms control deal. It might be a good idea. -- Alex ward, VOX
Trump and Bolton try to dismantle the INF Treaty -- Elisabeth Eaves, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
What is the INF nuclear treaty? -- Nicole Goebel, DW
What is the INF Treaty? -- VOA

Is China's Massive Missile Build-Up The Real Reason Why President Trump Decided To Exit The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty With Russia?

The mobile DF-26 is shown in a military parade in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in 2017 celebrating the PLA's 90th birthday. CHINA DAILY

Japan Times: China’s missile buildup — a threat to U.S. bases in Japan — likely a key factor in Trump plan to exit INF

U.S. President Donald Trump has pinned much of the blame for Washington’s planned exit from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) on Russian violations of the landmark pact. But a closer look shows that China’s buildup of its missile forces — which pose a grave threat to U.S. military bases in Japan and elsewhere in the region — may also play a large part in any decision to abrogate the 31-year-old arms-control deal.

Trump on Sunday said the U.S. would scrap the 1987 treaty between Washington and Moscow, which bans all land-based missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 km (310 to 3,420 miles). The pact covers missiles, known as short- and intermediate-range, that can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads, but does not ban air- or sea-launched weapons.

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WNU Editor: When it comes to intermediate missiles, what Russia has done (and is doing) is not enough IMHO to raise U.S. concerns to a level that the treaty should end. It is what is happening in Asia that the real missile build-up is occurring. Not surprising, the Chinese have condemn this U.S. move to terminate the treaty .... China denounces U.S. withdrawal from nuclear treaty (UPI).

President Trump Announces Withdrawal From 1987 INF Nuclear Treaty

Reuters: Trump: U.S. to exit nuclear treaty, citing Russian violations

ELKO, Nev. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States will exit the Cold-War era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons, in a move that is likely to upset Russia.

The INF treaty, negotiated by then-President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1988, required elimination of short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles by both countries.

“Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement so we’re going to terminate the agreement and we’re going to pull out,” Trump told reporters after a rally in Nevada.

Read more ....

More News On President Trump Announcing The U.S. Withdrawal From The 1987 INF Nuclear Treaty

Trump says US will pull out of intermediate range nuke pact -- AP
Trump says US will pull out of nuclear arms deal with Russia -- AFP
'They've been violating it for many years': Trump says U.S. will pull out of nuclear deal with Russia -- AFP
President Trump to pull US from Russia missile treaty -- BBC
Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia -- The Guardian
Donald Trump confirms US will pull out of nuclear arms pact with Russia -- DW
Trump says he will pull US out of nuclear arms treaty with Russia over violations by Moscow -- The Independent
Trump says US is ending decades-old nuclear arms treaty with Russia -- CNN
Trump: U.S. to withdraw from arms treaty with Russia -- Politico
Trump confirms US will withdraw from key arms control treaty -- The Hill
Trump says he'll pull US from nuclear agreement with Moscow -- FOX News
The US will withdraw from a Cold War-era nuclear treaty with Russia -- Quartz
US will pull out of nuclear weapons treaty with Russia -- Washington Examiner
Trump Vows to Quit Nuclear Arms Treaty With Russia -- Sputnik
What’s INF & why does it matter? Trump wants to kill pivotal nuclear treaty that calmed the Cold War -- RT

U.S. Planning To Tell Russia It Is About To Withdraw From The Russian Nuclear Arms Treaty

The expected decision to leave the I.N.F. treaty would mark the first time President Trump has scrapped a major arms control treaty. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times

New York Times: U.S. to Tell Russia It Is Leaving Landmark I.N.F. Treaty

The Trump administration is planning to tell Russian leaders next week that it is preparing to exit the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, according to American officials and foreign diplomats.

President Trump has been moving toward leaving the three-decade-old treaty because Russia has been violating it for years and because it is constraining the United States from deploying new weapons to counter the growing arsenal of intermediate-range weapons that China has deployed in seeking greater influence in the Western Pacific.

The White House said that no official decision had been made to leave the treaty, known as I.N.F., which was signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and was considered a critical step in defusing Cold War tensions. In the coming weeks, Mr. Trump is expected to sign off on the decision, which would mark the first time he has scrapped a major arms control treaty.

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Update #1: John Bolton pushing Trump to withdraw from Russian nuclear arms treaty (The Guardian)
Update #2: US reportedly poised to abandon key arms control treaty with Russia (Defense News)

WNU Editor: Sighhhh .... This is a big mistake.

Is Russia And The U.S. On The Verge Of A Nuclear Arms Race?

Russian Topol inter-continental ballistic missiles are pictured during a rehearsal for the nation's annual May 9 Victory Day parade (file photo)

The Guardian: US and Russian nuclear arsenals set to be unchecked for first time since 1972

Arms control experts have signed a statement warning international constraints will expire in 2021 unless a new nuclear deal is reached.

The US and Russian nuclear arsenals could soon be unconstrained by any binding arms control agreements for the first time since 1972, triggering an expensive and dangerous new arms race, a group of former officials and experts from the US, Europe and Russia has warned.

In a statement to be published on Wednesday, the signatories point out that the 2010 New Start treaty limiting the deployed strategic warheads and delivery systems of the US and Russia, will expire in February 2021, unless urgent steps are taken to extend it.

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WNU Editor:  Both countries cannot afford a nuclear arms race right now. I expect talks on these issues will start in 2019.