Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty : Background and Issues for Congress

Author / Creator

Library of Congress. Foreign Affairs Division

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Online

Summary

Describes current status of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty that was signed in 1987 between the U.S. and Soviet Union; and highlights issues that Congress may address as the U.S....

Describes current status of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty that was signed in 1987 between the U.S. and Soviet Union; and highlights issues that Congress may address as the U.S. pursues its compliance concerns with Russia. Provides historical overview describing role of intermediate-range nuclear weapons in NATO security construct in the late 1970s and political and security considerations that affected negotiation of the INF Treaty. Summarizes provisions of the INF Treaty, highlighting those central to the discussion about current Russian activities. Reviews publicly available information about potential Russian violation and possible Russian motivations for pursuing development of a noncompliant missile. Summarizes Russian concerns with U.S. compliance with the treaty. Discusses options for the U.S. in addressing its concerns with Russian activities as well as options that it might pursue if Russia deploys new INF-range missiles.

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