Russia Ends Moratorium on Nuclear Missiles

Russia has officially ended its self-imposed moratorium on deploying intermediate- and shorter-range nuclear missiles, citing increased threats posed by recent US and allied missile deployments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. This move follows the US withdrawal from the 1987 INF Treaty in 2019 and Moscow’s prior restraint on such deployments, which was conditional on US actions. Key factors in Russia’s decision include US plans to deploy Typhon and Dark Eagle missile systems in Germany and the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines near Russia, as announced by President Donald Trump. Russian officials, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, have blamed NATO and the US for heightening tensions and warned of further escalatory steps. The Kremlin described the situation as a 'new reality' due to what it calls destabilizing Western military activities. The development has raised serious concerns about the risk of a renewed arms race and increased threats to global security.