U.S. Will Leave Soviet-Era INF Treaty With Russia, Trump Says

The United States has announced its withdrawal from a landmark nuclear arms control pact with Russia. The move is being seen as one aggravating the risk of an international arms race.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the announcement at the U.S. Department of State, citing Russia’s violation of the deal, a claim that has been repeatedly denied by Moscow. The move, made nearly 60 days after Washington threatened to quit the historic Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, will start a six-month countdown period, which will lead to a permanent exit from the pact.

Pompeo said the U.S. will provide Russia and the other treaty parties with formal notice. U.S. President Donald Trump said that his country will “move forward with developing their own military response options.” The United States will work with NATO and its other allies and partners to deny Russia any military advantage from its unlawful conduct.