Prominent US senators and defense analysts are calling for the US to respond to Russia's recent deployment of nuclear cruise missiles by deploying missiles of its own to Europe.
ADVERTISEMENT
Russia violated a ‘key cornerstone’ of arms control — and it may cause a nuclear arms race
"I take this news as evidence that the US should build up its nuclear forces in Europe."
A Russian serviceman walks past Russian Iskander-M missile launchers before a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Moscow.
Russia's cruise missile deployment violated a major US-Russia treaty, the because they have a range of 620 to 3,420 miles and fire from ground-based launchers, enabling Russia to hit European capitals from its homeland.
“The Russian Federation remains in violation of its INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces) Treaty obligations not to possess, produce or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 to 5,500 kilometers, or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles,” acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.
The INF treaty of 1988 is the only treaty ever to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons. The Arms Control Association describes it as a "
ADVERTISEMENT
The US would "have to develop new weapons ... you’d have to put in air defenses or additional strike aircraft," said Jeffrey. "We have long-range cruise missiles on ships that you could increase in the Baltics or somewhere else that could reach Russia."
"scare the hell out of the Russians" while also pushing diplomatically for treaty compliance.
"We need to remind Russians why they wanted this treaty in the first place," said Lewis.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
ADVERTISEMENT