EU calls on U.S., Russia to preserve INF Treaty

The European Union today called on the United States and Russia to tread carefully over the idea of abandoning the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

In a statement attributed to a "spokesperson," the EU said the INF Treaty "contributed to the end of the cold-war and constitutes a pillar of European security architecture since it entered into force 30 years ago."

The EU notes that the pact has resulted in nearly 3,000 missiles with nuclear and conventional warheads being removed and verifiably destroyed. "The Treaty is also an important contribution to disarmament obligations under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," the statement adds.

The EU calls on the United States and Russia "to remain engaged in constructive dialogue to preserve the INF Treaty and ensure its full and verifiable implementation, which is crucial for Europe's and global security."

On Oct. 22, President Trump, talking about the INF Treaty, said Russia had "violated the agreement."

"They've been violating it for many years. And I don't know why President Obama didn't negotiate or pull out," he said. "And we're not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons, and we're not allowed to.

"We're the ones that have stayed in the agreement, and we've honored the agreement. But Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement," he continued. "So we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out."

In its statement today, the EU said it expects Russian to "address serious concerns" regarding its compliance with the INF Treaty, it also expects the United States to "consider the consequences of its possible withdrawal."

"The world doesn't need a new arms race that would benefit no one and on the contrary would bring even more instability," the statement reads.