The INF Treaty was a 1987 agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. It banned all land‑based missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometres. In simple terms, it got rid of an entire class of nuclear weapons that could strike anywhere in Europe or Asia.
When the deal was signed, both sides threw away thousands of missiles, saving billions of dollars and, more importantly, reducing the chance of a quick nuclear strike. People on the ground felt safer, and the treaty became a cornerstone of Cold War diplomacy.
Fast forward to 2019 – the United States withdrew, citing Russian violations, and Russia responded in kind. The treaty’s collapse didn’t mean the world went back to the old arms race overnight, but it did remove a key check on mid‑range missiles. Since then, both sides have been testing new systems that the INF would have banned.
1987: The treaty is signed in Washington and Moscow, eliminating 2,700 missiles on each side.
1991: The Soviet Union dissolves, but Russia inherits the treaty obligations.
2000s: Both countries conduct limited compliance checks, keeping the agreement mostly alive.
2014‑2018: Accusations of non‑compliance rise, especially over Russia’s alleged development of the 9M729 missile.
February 2019: The U.S. officially exits the treaty, prompting Russia to follow suit a month later.
Even without the INF, other agreements like New START still limit strategic nuclear weapons. Yet the gap left by the INF encourages new negotiations. Some experts argue for a modernized treaty that includes China and covers new technologies like hypersonic weapons.
If a fresh deal emerges, it will need to tackle verification challenges and involve more than just the U.S. and Russia. Until then, analysts keep an eye on missile deployments, satellite data, and diplomatic talks to gauge where the balance of power is shifting.
On this tag page you’ll find the latest articles that mention the INF Treaty, from political analysis to security briefings. Use the list below to dive deeper into any of the stories that caught your eye.
Understanding the INF Treaty helps you see how a single agreement can shape global security for decades. Whether you’re a casual reader or a policy junkie, staying informed about these arms‑control talks is worth the effort.
Russia has ditched its moratorium on medium- and short-range nuclear missiles, blaming NATO's stance and actions. The move, announced by Dmitry Medvedev, signals rising tensions and concerns about a new arms race after the collapse of the INF Treaty.
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