A Nuclear Deadline Grows Closer. Will Russia Meet Its Obligation?

Anyone remember the last time nuclear arms talks with Russia made big news? The 90s maybe? Those paying closer attention may know that more recently there has been a major disagreement brewing between Russia and the U.S. over a 1987 treaty banning all land-based intermediate cruise missiles.

Aaron Mehta is deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News. He says Russia was accused of violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty during the Obama administration, but the Trump Administration has been more vocal about the issue.

In December, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo set a 60-day deadline for Russia to prove compliance with the treaty. If Russia does not do so by Feb. 2, the United States will withdraw.

“They’ve now decided apparently the way to go forward with this process is to say, ‘You know what, if Russia is .. violating the treaty, why are we restraining ourselves in this treaty as well?’” Mehta says. The conclusion is, ‘Let’s get out of this treaty if Russia won’t change its mind.’”

Read more: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/a-nuclear-deadline-grows-closer-will-russia-meet-its-obligation/