NATO accuses Russia of breaching Nuclear Treaty – US says it will suspend participation

Western military alliance Nato has formally accused Russia of breaching the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which banned land-based nuclear missiles in Europe.

Following a meeting, Nato foreign ministers issued a statement supporting US accusations of Russian violations.

The BBC reports that the US has threatened to withdraw from the treaty because of Russian actions. The deal banned ground-launched medium-range missiles with a range of 500-5,500km (310-3,400 miles).

The Independent reports US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying that the United States would suspend its treaty obligations in 60 days over the alleged violations. The six-month withdrawal period from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) would begin after this point.

“Allies have concluded that Russia has developed and fielded a missile system, the 9M729, which violates the INF Treaty and poses significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security,” the Nato foreign ministers’ statement reads. “We strongly support the finding of the United States that Russia is in material breach of its obligations under the INF Treaty. “We call on Russia to return urgently to full and verifiable compliance. It is now up to Russia to preserve the INF Treaty.”