NATO's position on key eventsThe INF Treaty was signed on 8 December 1987 by the United States and the former Soviet Union, and entered into force on 1 June 1988. It required both countries to eliminate their ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles that could travel between 500 and 5,500 kilometres (between 300 and 3,400 miles) by an implementation deadline of 1 June 1991.
By the deadline, the two countries had together destroyed a total of 2,692 short- and intermediate-range missiles: 1,846 Soviet missiles and 846 American missiles. It marked the first elimination of an entire category of weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
But in recent years, Russia has developed, produced, tested and deployed a new intermediate-range missile known as the 9M729, or SSC-8. The 9M729 is mobile and easy to hide. It is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It reduces warning times to minutes, lowering the threshold for nuclear conflict. And it can reach European capitals.
In July 2018, NATO Allies stated that after years of denials and obfuscation by the Russian Federation, and despite Allies repeatedly raising their concerns, the Russian Federation had only recently acknowledged the existence of the missile system without providing the necessary transparency or explanation. A pattern of behaviour and information over many years has led to widespread doubts about Russian compliance. NATO Allies said that, in the absence of any credible answer from Russia on this new missile, the most plausible assessment would be that Russia is in violation of the Treaty.
In December 2018, NATO Foreign Ministers supported the finding of the United States that Russia is in material breach of its obligations under the INF Treaty and called on Russia to urgently return to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty.
Allies have remained open to dialogue and have engaged Russia on its violation, including at a NATO-Russia Council meeting on 25 January 2019. Russia has continued to deny its INF Treaty violation, has refused to provide any credible response, and has taken no demonstrable steps toward returning to full and verifiable compliance.
As a result of Russia's continued non-compliance, on 1 February 2019, the United States announced its decision to suspend its obligations under Article XV of the INF Treaty. This means that the United States could terminate the Treaty within six months of this date if Russia has not come back into compliance.
Also on 1 February 2019, NATO Allies said that unless Russia honours its INF Treaty obligations through the verifiable destruction of all of its 9M729 systems, thereby returning to full and verifiable compliance, Russia would bear sole responsibility for the end of the Treaty. NATO Allies also made clear that NATO would continue to closely review the security implications of Russian intermediate-range missiles and would continue to take steps necessary to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of the Alliance's overall deterrence and defence posture.
On 15 February 2019, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recalled at the Munich Security Conference that "it was on this very stage, at the Munich Security Conference in 2007, this was the place that President Putin first publically expressed his desire for Russia to leave the INF Treaty. A treaty that is only respected by one side will not keep us safe".
The Alliance will do everything that is in its remit to encourage Russia to return to compliance before 2 August 2019. NATO's focus is to preserve the INF Treaty.
On 26 June 2019, NATO Defence Ministers urged Russia once again to return to full and verifiable compliance. Should Russia fail to comply, they also considered potential NATO measures, such as exercises, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air and missile defences, and conventional capabilities. NATO will also ensure that its nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective.
Defence Ministers confirmed that NATO has no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe. NATO will not mirror what Russia does, and does not want a new arms race.
Allies are firmly committed to the preservation of effective international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
"By fielding multiple battalions of SSC-8 missiles, Russia has made the world a more dangerous place."
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General
Missiles banned under the INF Treaty
Under the INF Treaty, the United States and Russia cannot possess, produce or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, or possess or produce launchers of such missiles.
The INF Treaty gives precise definitions of the banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles:
An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is a ground-launched ballistic or cruise missile having a range capability between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometres. The term "ballistic missile" means a missile that has a ballistic trajectory over most of its flight path.
A shorter-range missile means a ground-launched ballistic or cruise missile having a range capability between 500 and 1,000 kilometres. The term "cruise missile" means an unmanned, self-propelled vehicle that sustains flight through the use of aerodynamic lift over most of its flight path.
Timeline
8 December 1987: Signing of the INF Treaty.
11 May 1991: Destruction of the last missiles covered under the Treaty.
23 May 2013: The United States first raises its concerns with Russia about the missile system.
5 September 2014: Wales Summit: Allies call on Russia to preserve the viability of the Treaty
9 July 2016: Warsaw Summit: Allies call on Russia to answer US charges and preserve the viability of the INF Treaty
9 December 2017: Russia admits the SSC-8/9M729 exists but claims it is compliant
11 July 2018: NATO Allies declare that Russia appears to be violating the INF Treaty.
20 October 2018: The United States announces its intention to withdraw from the Treaty.
4 December 2018: The United States declares Russia in material breach of the Treaty.
4 December 2018: NATO Foreign Ministers support the US finding on Russia's violation.
25 January 2019: NATO Allies urge Russia to return to compliance at a NATO-Russia Council meeting.
1 February 2019: The United States announces its decision to suspend compliance with the INF Treaty.
1 February 2019: NATO Allies issue a statement on Russia's failure to comply with the INF Treaty.
14 February 2019: NATO Defence Ministers call again on Russia to come back into compliance.
26 June 2019: NATO Defence Ministers agree that NATO will respond, should Russia fail to return to compliance, and consider potential measures.
VIEW THE VIDEO / THE SIGNING CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON ON DECEMBER THE 8 OF 1987