Nato says 'up to Russia' to save Cold War arms treaty

Published December 4, 2018
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, front center, and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, front second right, with a group of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, December 4, 2018. —AP
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, front center, and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, front second right, with a group of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, December 4, 2018. —AP

Nato said on Tuesday it is “up to Russia” to save a Cold War nuclear arms reduction treaty that the US has threatened to leave, accusing Moscow of breaching the agreement.

“We call on Russia to return urgently to full and verifiable compliance. It is now up to Russia to preserve the INF treaty,” foreign ministers from the 29-member alliance said in a joint statement after talks in Brussels.

Western powers say a Russian missile system developed and fielded over the last five years breaches the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.

In October, President Donald Trump declared the United States would pull out of the treaty and build up America's nuclear stockpile “until people come to their senses.”

But on Monday, the US leader said he wants talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin “to head off a major and uncontrollable Arms Race.”

Trump's chief diplomat Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was at Nato headquarters for a ministerial meeting on Tuesday and won support for a tough stance from the allies.

“The United States has remained in full compliance with its obligations under the INF Treaty since it entered into force,” the ministers said in their joint statement.

“Allies have emphasised that the situation whereby the United States and other parties fully abide by the Treaty and Russia does not, is not sustainable,” they warned.

“Russia's violation of the INF Treaty erodes the foundations of effective arms control and undermines Allied security. This is part of Russia's broader pattern of behaviour that is intended to weaken the overall Euro-Atlantic security architecture. “

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...