From The Archive: Trump Withdraws from INF Treaty over Russian Violations

In 2019, President Trump withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) agreement as a result of repeated Russian violations, which other US Presidents overlooked. President Trump kept America safe by confronting Russian aggression - an approach that remains highly relevant today as Russia threatens global security again in Ukraine and other areas of the globe.

In a joint statement, NATO leaders declared that “a situation whereby the United States fully abides by the treaty, and Russia does not, is not sustainable.” Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo placed the blame squarely on Moscow, stating that “Russia is solely responsible for the treaty's demise.” This marked a shift from previous administrations, showcasing the Trump administration’s firm stance on enforcing arms control and confronting adversarial behavior.

Despite multiple U.S. and NATO efforts to engage Russia in dialogue and urge compliance, Moscow refused to cease its illegal activities and continued to escalate its arms buildup. Russia’s consistent deception and bad-faith diplomacy made maintaining the treaty untenable.

Withdrawing from the INF Treaty sent a clear message: America will not tolerate Russian aggression. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens global stability and democratic values, standing with Ukraine is essential to safeguarding global freedom and security.

Thank you, President Trump, for withdrawing from the INF Treaty and reinforcing America’s commitment to confronting Russian violations.