US President Donald Trump announced the US would be
withdrawing from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces
(INF) treaty, saying: “We will move forward with
developing our own military response options” to
Russia’s suspect missile. The announcement has
triggered a six month expiration period in which
renegotiations can take place. So the treaty could be
salvaged in that 180-day window but only if Russia
destroys all of its violating missiles, launchers and
associated equipment says the President.
In his statement, Trump warned that unless Russia
destroyed its missile by August, the USA “will move
forward with developing our own military response
options and will work with Nato and our other allies
and partners to deny Russia any military advantage
from its unlawful conduct.”
For 32-years a treaty has been in place with the
intention of limiting two of the most powerful
countries in the world with their intermediate-range
weapons.
However, American politicians have claimed Russia
has continued to violate the terms of the deal with
no consequence throughout the treaty.
Neil Clothier, Head of Negotiations at global
sales and negotiation skills development company
Huthwaite International explained to
Express.co.uk the
potential outcomes of negotiations around the
treaty.