The United States will pull out of a nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, the Trump administration announced Friday, ending a cornerstone Cold War agreement on grounds that Russian violations render it moot. The demise of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty raises fears of a new nuclear arms race, although U.S. officials discount the risk. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is suspending participation in the agreement, starting a six-month countdown to a final U.S. withdrawal. [Trump administration gives Russia an ultimatum on Cold War-era arms treaty]In a statement, President Trump said the onus is on Russia. But in recent weeks, Russian officials said they were certain that the United States would exit the treaty.

Source: Washington Post February 01, 2019 13:44 UTC