Russia has decided to scrap its self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the decision on Sunday, citing the United States’ deployment of such weapons in various regions worldwide.
End of a Cold War Legacy
The move signals the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a landmark arms control agreement signed in 1987 by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US President Ronald Reagan. The treaty eliminated an entire category of nuclear weapons and was a cornerstone of Cold War-era diplomacy.
The United States formally withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019 under President Donald Trump, accusing Russia of violations—a claim Moscow denied. Following the withdrawal, Russia introduced a moratorium on developing missiles banned under the treaty.
Rising Global Tensions
Lavrov emphasized that the US has ignored warnings from Russia and China, deploying intermediate-range weapons globally. “Our moratorium on short- and intermediate-range missiles is no longer viable and must be abandoned,” he said.
The breakdown of arms control agreements, including the New START treaty set to expire in 2026, has raised fears of a renewed arms race involving Russia, the United States, and potentially China.
Missile Development Resumes
Russia recently tested a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile, the “Oreshnik” (Hazel Tree), targeting Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin described the test as a response to US and British missile strikes by Ukrainian forces.
Historical Context
The INF Treaty had been a significant step in nuclear disarmament, limiting ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 km to 5,500 km. However, Trump terminated the treaty in 2019, citing alleged Russian violations and concerns over China’s missile arsenal.
Despite Russia’s earlier proposal to refrain from deploying missiles in sensitive regions like Kaliningrad, the US tested weapons with similar profiles, further escalating tensions.
