INF Treaty withdrawal inquiry

In its Report, the Committee has established a timeline of events, scrutinised the possible motivations for the decisions made by both Russia and the US, and evaluated the suggested ways in which the INF Treaty could potentially be saved. The Committee has come to the conclusion that it is unlikely that the Treaty will survive, as a result of Russian unwillingness to return to compliance. Consequently, NATO will have to find a way to respond in a manner consistent with its members’ priorities. The Committee strongly recommends that evidence of Russia’s re-introduction of a ground-launched, intermediate-range missile system should be publicly presented at the UN Security Council. Government response published Read the Government response (PDF 193KB) Read the Government response The Defence Committee launches inquiry examining the potential withdrawal of the US from the INF Treaty and its possible implications for UK defence. The INF Treaty, signed in 1987, prohibits the US and Russia from testing and deploying ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles which have a range between 500 and 5500km. Last month, the President of the United States announced the intention of the US to withdraw from the Treaty. Given that this Treaty is predominantly aimed at securing Europe, the Defence Committee has decided to examine what the implications might be for UK defence of such a withdrawal.