NATO Accuses Russia of Violating INF Treaty
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NATO Accuses Russia of Violating INF Treaty
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato...uclear-treaty/
Russia has a new type of missile that threatens Europe — in violation of a signature arms treaty — and NATO wants an immediate explanation, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Stoltenberg bluntly accused Russia of violating the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, which banned an entire class of missiles that could be used by Russia to strike targets in Europe. “Now, this treaty is in danger because of Russia’s actions,” Stoltenberg said.
In a follow-up to Stoltenberg’s warning, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, speaking at her own news conference, said the U.S. would give allies evidence of Russia’s violations and would be prepared to “take out” the Russian missiles if necessary. It is unclear precisely what Hutchison meant, or if she intended to issue a threat that Moscow could view as highly provocative. Aides said they could not elaborate on her remarks or clarify them further.
The 1987 INF accord banned all missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, essentially offering a protective blanket to the European continent. It also banned American-made Pershing cruise missiles, which had been deployed by the U.S. and Germany and which Russia regarded as a severe threat. Since 2014, the United States has accused Russia of violating the INF treaty, and Washington has imposed sanctions intended to pressure Russia into compliance. But amid other sanctions intended to punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea and military aggression in eastern Ukraine, the measures related to the INF apparently have not had any effect.
Stoltenberg, at his news conference, said that Russia had only recently admitted that it possesses a new type of ground-launched mid-range missile, called the 9M729 (also referred to as the SSC-8) which he said violates the INF. “After years of denials, Russia recently acknowledged the existence of a new missile system called 9M729,” Stoltenberg said at NATO headquarters. “Russia has not provided any credible answers on this new missile. The most plausible assessment would be that Russia is in violation of the treaty. It is therefore urgent that Russia addresses these concerns.”
The Kremlin has denied violating the INF treaty, but has accused the U.S. of breaching the accord with a missile defense system deployed in Europe, including in Romania. In a statement last December, the U.S. State Department called the INF treaty “a pillar of international security and stability.”
Hutchison insisted the U.S. is committed to the accord, but threatened to abandon it and develop new mid-range weapons if Russia refuses to come back into compliance. “The United States does not want to withdraw from the treaty; we certainly don’t intend to violate the treaty,” Hutchison said. “That is our goal: Russia in compliance,”
Hutchison continued. “But if Russian continues to say they are not violating, while the evidence says that they are, then diplomacy needs to be strengthened and we need to look for other ways to bring Russia to the table on this issue.” But in a pointed warning, she added: “There will come a point in the future where America will determine it has to move forward with a development phase that is not allowed by the treaty right now.”.......
NATO accuses Russia of violating nuclear treaty
Ahead of defense ministers’ meeting, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg demands Kremlin explain new missile.Russia has a new type of missile that threatens Europe — in violation of a signature arms treaty — and NATO wants an immediate explanation, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Stoltenberg bluntly accused Russia of violating the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, which banned an entire class of missiles that could be used by Russia to strike targets in Europe. “Now, this treaty is in danger because of Russia’s actions,” Stoltenberg said.
In a follow-up to Stoltenberg’s warning, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, speaking at her own news conference, said the U.S. would give allies evidence of Russia’s violations and would be prepared to “take out” the Russian missiles if necessary. It is unclear precisely what Hutchison meant, or if she intended to issue a threat that Moscow could view as highly provocative. Aides said they could not elaborate on her remarks or clarify them further.
The 1987 INF accord banned all missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, essentially offering a protective blanket to the European continent. It also banned American-made Pershing cruise missiles, which had been deployed by the U.S. and Germany and which Russia regarded as a severe threat. Since 2014, the United States has accused Russia of violating the INF treaty, and Washington has imposed sanctions intended to pressure Russia into compliance. But amid other sanctions intended to punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea and military aggression in eastern Ukraine, the measures related to the INF apparently have not had any effect.
Stoltenberg, at his news conference, said that Russia had only recently admitted that it possesses a new type of ground-launched mid-range missile, called the 9M729 (also referred to as the SSC-8) which he said violates the INF. “After years of denials, Russia recently acknowledged the existence of a new missile system called 9M729,” Stoltenberg said at NATO headquarters. “Russia has not provided any credible answers on this new missile. The most plausible assessment would be that Russia is in violation of the treaty. It is therefore urgent that Russia addresses these concerns.”
The Kremlin has denied violating the INF treaty, but has accused the U.S. of breaching the accord with a missile defense system deployed in Europe, including in Romania. In a statement last December, the U.S. State Department called the INF treaty “a pillar of international security and stability.”
Hutchison insisted the U.S. is committed to the accord, but threatened to abandon it and develop new mid-range weapons if Russia refuses to come back into compliance. “The United States does not want to withdraw from the treaty; we certainly don’t intend to violate the treaty,” Hutchison said. “That is our goal: Russia in compliance,”
Hutchison continued. “But if Russian continues to say they are not violating, while the evidence says that they are, then diplomacy needs to be strengthened and we need to look for other ways to bring Russia to the table on this issue.” But in a pointed warning, she added: “There will come a point in the future where America will determine it has to move forward with a development phase that is not allowed by the treaty right now.”.......
Don't know how true this is (that there is a new nuke being fielded). I do wonder if it is a swat at the EUs attempts to form a military alliance, perhaps a timely reminder that Europe has for the last 70 years clung to the US for its protection and not a closed shop trading union.
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This is about the INF treaty. If they field forbidden stuff we might develop our own.
And Europe did and is contributing. The UK will continue to do so after Brexit and keeps troops in Germany.
And Europe did and is contributing. The UK will continue to do so after Brexit and keeps troops in Germany.
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Who broke it first?
The installation of Mk41 VL systems in the ABM system in Romania is a technical breach. These launchers can field Tomahawk missiles and tnerefore are in contravention of the INF even if no Tomahawks are fitted. 
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The site in Romania consists of an Aegis-ashore radar and a concrete launch pad. No missiles or launchers are deployed. Romania has signed a contract to buy Patriot missiles which will be able to link with the radar, but no version of Patriot is covered by the INF.
Russia claims the launch pad itself is a breach of the treaty - which is absurd, as any patch of concrete or car park within 60km would fulfill the same criteria.
The SSC-8, on the other hand, is a cruise missile development of the Iskander-M and deployed from the TEL trailer, which constitutes a direct breach.
Russia claims the launch pad itself is a breach of the treaty - which is absurd, as any patch of concrete or car park within 60km would fulfill the same criteria.
The SSC-8, on the other hand, is a cruise missile development of the Iskander-M and deployed from the TEL trailer, which constitutes a direct breach.
ORAC,
Not being picky but did you mean to write Pershing AND Cruise Missiles? As Pershing was most definitely NOT a Cruise Missile!
And the Cruise Missile and Pershing deployment to Europe was a direct response to Soviet Deployment of SS-20 IRBM's aimed squarely at Europe.
Not being picky but did you mean to write Pershing AND Cruise Missiles? As Pershing was most definitely NOT a Cruise Missile!
And the Cruise Missile and Pershing deployment to Europe was a direct response to Soviet Deployment of SS-20 IRBM's aimed squarely at Europe.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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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.
Washington believes Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow Moscow to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.
Trump said the United States will develop the weapons unless Russia and China agree to a halt on development.
China is not a party to the treaty and has invested heavily in conventional missiles as part of an anti-access/area denial strategy, while the INF has banned U.S possession of ground- launched ballistic missiles or cruise missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 km (311 and 3,418 miles).
Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, will visit Moscow next week.
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.
Washington believes Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow Moscow to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.
Trump said the United States will develop the weapons unless Russia and China agree to a halt on development.
China is not a party to the treaty and has invested heavily in conventional missiles as part of an anti-access/area denial strategy, while the INF has banned U.S possession of ground- launched ballistic missiles or cruise missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 km (311 and 3,418 miles).
Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, will visit Moscow next week.
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That's a typical US way of doing such business. When they want to get out of any treaty, they first accuse the other side and then do what they like.
So, we are again entering pre-carribean crisis times. The US can deply thousands of medium-range missiles that can reach Russia, while similar Russian missiles, even if deployed opposite to Alaska, can only reach some northen territories.
IMHO the main losers of ruining this treaty will be US proxies in Europe where the missiles would be installed. They would be the targets.
But the next obvious step, unfortunately foreseen from the US, is breaking the strategic missile treaty. This may result in increase of "platforms" from 700 to thousands and warheads from 1550 to tens of thousands. Madness.
Looks like the recent "feeding" of LockMart, Boeing and Raytheon with saidi cash is not enough....
So, we are again entering pre-carribean crisis times. The US can deply thousands of medium-range missiles that can reach Russia, while similar Russian missiles, even if deployed opposite to Alaska, can only reach some northen territories.
IMHO the main losers of ruining this treaty will be US proxies in Europe where the missiles would be installed. They would be the targets.
But the next obvious step, unfortunately foreseen from the US, is breaking the strategic missile treaty. This may result in increase of "platforms" from 700 to thousands and warheads from 1550 to tens of thousands. Madness.
Looks like the recent "feeding" of LockMart, Boeing and Raytheon with saidi cash is not enough....
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That's a typical US way of doing such business. When they want to get out of any treaty, they first accuse the other side and then do what they like.
So, we are again entering pre-carribean crisis times. The US can deply thousands of medium-range missiles that can reach Russia, while similar Russian missiles, even if deployed opposite to Alaska, can only reach some northen territories.
IMHO the main losers of ruining this treaty will be US proxies in Europe where the missiles would be installed. They would be the targets.
But the next obvious step, unfortunately foreseen from the US, is breaking the strategic missile treaty. This may result in increase of "platforms" from 700 to thousands and warheads from 1550 to tens of thousands. Madness.
Looks like the recent "feeding" of LockMart, Boeing and Raytheon with saidi cash is not enough....
So, we are again entering pre-carribean crisis times. The US can deply thousands of medium-range missiles that can reach Russia, while similar Russian missiles, even if deployed opposite to Alaska, can only reach some northen territories.
IMHO the main losers of ruining this treaty will be US proxies in Europe where the missiles would be installed. They would be the targets.
But the next obvious step, unfortunately foreseen from the US, is breaking the strategic missile treaty. This may result in increase of "platforms" from 700 to thousands and warheads from 1550 to tens of thousands. Madness.
Looks like the recent "feeding" of LockMart, Boeing and Raytheon with saidi cash is not enough....
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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(Brussels) US claims that Russia has repeatedly violated a Cold War missile treaty could not be resolved in a meeting between the two sides. The US is now set to formally start the six-month process of quitting the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty on February 2, Nato allies have been told.
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said the US had failed to fully consider Russian proposals to save the pact and prevent a new arms race in Europe. The INF treaty, negotiated by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and signed in 1987, eliminated medium-range missile arsenals. (Reuters)
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said the US had failed to fully consider Russian proposals to save the pact and prevent a new arms race in Europe. The INF treaty, negotiated by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and signed in 1987, eliminated medium-range missile arsenals. (Reuters)
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https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/n...eaty-w0pzk9tmp
Nuclear arms race looms as US quit INF missile treaty
The United States will withdraw from a nuclear treaty with Russia by tomorrow raising fears of a new global arms race with Washington no longer “tied” to existing weapons controls.
The Trump administration’s departure from the intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) treaty comes after Russia failed to destroy a missile that it had developed secretly. Washington suspended the treaty in February, starting a six-month countdown to formal withdrawal. Moscow has said that it will not change course.
President Trump made clear that his concern was not only Russian cheating but US military rivalry with a China unconstrained by treaty obligations....... John Bolton, Mr Trump’s national security adviser, said that after tomorrow Washington would be free to compete with Beijing.
He said that Washington was also “unlikely” to extend New Start, the last remaining pillar of the arms control regime developed during the Cold War, leaving the US and Russia without constraints on their nuclear arsenals for the first time in three decades........
New Start, the 2010 iteration of the Reagan-era nuclear arms reduction agreement with Moscow, was “flawed from the beginning”, Mr Bolton said. “It did not cover short-range tactical nuclear weapons or new Russian delivery systems. It is due to expire in 2021 and while no decision has been made it’s unlikely to be extended. Why extend a flawed system just to say you have a treaty?” The Trump administration wants a new treaty that includes China but Beijing is not interested.
Jens Stoltenberg the secretary-general of Nato, appealed to Russia yesterday to comply with the INF treaty, even as he conceded that the pact was about to expire. Mr Stoltenberg said, “we see the demise of the INF treaty”, but he added, “we still call on Russia to come back into compliance”.
Nuclear arms race looms as US quit INF missile treaty
The United States will withdraw from a nuclear treaty with Russia by tomorrow raising fears of a new global arms race with Washington no longer “tied” to existing weapons controls.
The Trump administration’s departure from the intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) treaty comes after Russia failed to destroy a missile that it had developed secretly. Washington suspended the treaty in February, starting a six-month countdown to formal withdrawal. Moscow has said that it will not change course.
President Trump made clear that his concern was not only Russian cheating but US military rivalry with a China unconstrained by treaty obligations....... John Bolton, Mr Trump’s national security adviser, said that after tomorrow Washington would be free to compete with Beijing.
He said that Washington was also “unlikely” to extend New Start, the last remaining pillar of the arms control regime developed during the Cold War, leaving the US and Russia without constraints on their nuclear arsenals for the first time in three decades........
New Start, the 2010 iteration of the Reagan-era nuclear arms reduction agreement with Moscow, was “flawed from the beginning”, Mr Bolton said. “It did not cover short-range tactical nuclear weapons or new Russian delivery systems. It is due to expire in 2021 and while no decision has been made it’s unlikely to be extended. Why extend a flawed system just to say you have a treaty?” The Trump administration wants a new treaty that includes China but Beijing is not interested.
Jens Stoltenberg the secretary-general of Nato, appealed to Russia yesterday to comply with the INF treaty, even as he conceded that the pact was about to expire. Mr Stoltenberg said, “we see the demise of the INF treaty”, but he added, “we still call on Russia to come back into compliance”.
"The Trump administration wants a new treaty that includes China but Beijing is not interested."
IIRC in a similar situation neither were the Russians way back in the '60's - it was only when they reached "strategic parity" that they were interested in talking to cut back on further wasteful expansion
IIRC in a similar situation neither were the Russians way back in the '60's - it was only when they reached "strategic parity" that they were interested in talking to cut back on further wasteful expansion
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IMHO, the USA are (correctly and rightfully) concerned about many missiles of that kind in China (and also some in Iran and some ME countries). But then comes a dirty game to blame Russia and use this "reason" to quit the INF and then say they want to start from scratch on a multi-lateral basis. But China just keeps silence ignoring the invitation and the new game is unlikely to start soon.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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TASS: Russian Foreign Ministry confirms termination of INF Treaty
TASS: Russian Foreign Ministry confirms termination of INF Treaty
Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry has officially confirmed that the operation of the Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty has been terminated at the initiative of the United States as of August 2, TASS reported.
"On August 2, 2019 at the initiative of the American side the operation of the treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States on the elimination of intermediate and shorter range missiles signed in Washington on December 8, 1987 was terminated," the Foreign Ministry said on the legal information website on Friday.
TASS: Russian Foreign Ministry confirms termination of INF Treaty
Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry has officially confirmed that the operation of the Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty has been terminated at the initiative of the United States as of August 2, TASS reported.
"On August 2, 2019 at the initiative of the American side the operation of the treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States on the elimination of intermediate and shorter range missiles signed in Washington on December 8, 1987 was terminated," the Foreign Ministry said on the legal information website on Friday.
Seems evident that the old era of bilateral treaties is obsolete.
What remains very murky is how the treaty approach can work with multiple players.
There are not many successful precedents that I know of.
The world will become more equal, as many more powers have nuclear weapons and delivery systems. It may however not become fairer or safer.
What remains very murky is how the treaty approach can work with multiple players.
There are not many successful precedents that I know of.
The world will become more equal, as many more powers have nuclear weapons and delivery systems. It may however not become fairer or safer.
So, Russia, a country with an economy slightly larger than that of Spain, is going to enter into a sophisticated arms race with the USA.
I guess some folk just don't learn from history.
I guess some folk just don't learn from history.