Moscow Announces End to Disavowal of Ground-Based Nuclear Weapons
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a landmark agreement signed in 1987 that prohibited ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, is no longer in effect. The United States formally withdrew in August 2019 citing Russian violations, and Russia declared in August 2025 that it no longer considers itself bound by the treaty [1][3][5].
Following the U.S. withdrawal, Russia initially maintained a unilateral moratorium on deploying such missiles but ended that moratorium in August 2025 due to perceived U.S. deployment plans in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Consequently, both nations have resumed development and deployment of intermediate-range missiles formerly prohibited by the treaty [2][3].
The dissolution of the INF Treaty has significantly undermined nuclear disarmament and arms control efforts in Europe. The collapse of the treaty removes limits on intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles that were a key factor in European security. This development has increased tensions and the risk of a renewed arms race in Europe, destabilizing the previous nuclear balance maintained by mutual arms control commitments [1][2][5].
In Europe, the situation is developing such that land-based nuclear short- and intermediate-range missiles of U.S. origin are being stationed in Germany. The German military's plans include the deployment of SM-6 air defense missiles and U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany [4]. The Tomahawk cruise missiles, when equipped with nuclear warheads, can have a range of thousands of kilometers. Weapons for this purpose, as stated by the Kremlin last year, are reportedly nearing completion [6].
Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened that Russia would respond "symmetrically" to the planned U.S. deployment of missiles in Germany in 2026. Russia has already deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave, which, with their shorter ranges, fall under the category of missiles that the INF treaty aimed to eliminate [7]. These Russian Iskander missiles can potentially target German cities with their intermediate-range.
| Aspect | Status | |---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | INF Treaty | U.S. withdrew in 2019; Russia ended adherence officially in August 2025 | | Missile deployments | Russia ended moratorium on deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles in 2025 | | Impact on Europe’s nuclear disarmament | Treaty collapse has increased nuclear risks and arms race potential, reducing disarmament prospects | | U.S. Missile Deployment in Germany | Planned for 2026; includes SM-6 air defense missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles | | Russian Missile Deployment in Europe | Already deployed Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad |
The collapse of the INF Treaty marks a major setback for arms control in Europe, heightening strategic uncertainty and raising concerns about renewed nuclear competition on the continent [1][2][3][5].
- The demise of the INF Treaty in 2019, followed by Russia's official withdrawal in 2025, has led to a resumption of development and deployment of intermediate-range missiles, causing a significant increase in the risk of a renewed arms race in Europe.
- With the United States planning to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany in 2026, the strategic uncertainty and potential for nuclear competition in Europe have escalated, making arms control efforts more challenging in the region.
