Russia has officially declared it no longer considers itself bound by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a Cold War-era agreement signed in 1987.

• Reason Cited: Russia accused the West of creating a direct threat to national security, referencing specific US military deployments and exercises.
  • Typhon missile system deployed in the Philippines.
  • Missile drills during the Talisman Sabre exercises in Australia.
  • Russia claimed these actions undermined global stability and increased strategic pressure.

About Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

• Signed: 1987, between the United States and the Soviet Union.
• Key Provisions
  • Elimination of Ground-Launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 to 5,500 km.
  • Both sides agreed to destroy existing stock within 3 years.
  • Permanent ban on development, production, and deployment of such missile systems.
  • Introduced extensive on-site inspections, marking a significant step in arms control transparency and trust-building
• Implementation:
  • U.S. destroyed: 846 missiles, including Pershing II and Ground-Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCMs)
  • U.S.S.R. destroyed: 1,846 missiles, including SS-4s, SS-5s, and SS-20s, along with support infrastructure.
• Significance: 
  • A landmark arms control agreement that helped curb nuclear arms race during the Cold War.
  • First major agreement where superpowers reduced nuclear arsenals and set a precedent for future arms control treaties.
• Status: Already weakened after the US withdrawal in 2019, citing Russian violations.

Other Important Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaties

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