DISINFO: The US has violated the INF Treaty for years
SUMMARY
The US has been violating the INF Treaty for years. By violating INF Treaty obligations, the US created the conditions for Russia’s production of missiles prohibited by this Treaty. The US has never provided evidence to Russia about its compliance with the INF Treaty in the three above-mentioned areas.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the US is responsible for the demise of the INF Treaty. The US government has issued detailed rebuttals of Russian accusations of US non-compliance with INF Treaty. Moreover, the US has repeatedly engaged Russian officials in multiple venues, including the Treaty’s Special Verification Commission [SVC] to explain why US actions in these areas are in full compliance with the INF Treaty. In December 2017, NATO affirmed that the US is in full compliance with the INF Treaty, and that Russia possesses a new missile system that generated “serious concerns”. Neither EU, nor any EU Member State is a part of the INF Treaty. Nevertheless, the Treaty has been a cornerstone of European security architecture. The EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini's remarks on the challenges to the INT Treaty can be read here. See more about the case here and further background here and here.