Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty Latest News

Russia has officially declared it no longer considers itself bound by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.        

About Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

• It was signed between the United States and Russia (Formerly known as the Soviet Union) in 1987.
• Objective: Under this treaty both powers agreed to destroy two categories of lethal missile systems from their own stocks as a means to decelerate the nuclear arms race.
• The need for such an expansive treaty was felt after a considerable build-up of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by both sides in their European spheres of influence, threatening the security of the entire continent.
• The treaty came to fruition after years of negotiations during the leadership of US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
• The treaty led to the elimination of an entire class of weapons, ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres.
• It also allowed verification by observers from both sides — thus leading to the dismantling of 2,619 missiles in three years.
• Present status of the treaty: The US withdrew from it, citing violations by Russia.      

Source: News on air

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