Senate Passes Bill Aimed to Bring Russia in Compliance with INF

During a rare Saturday session, the Senate passed a bill that would require President Barack Obama to demand Russia to comply with the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and order the country to "completely and verifiably eliminate the military systems that constitute a violation of its obligations under the INF Treaty.” The U.S. has accused Russia of developing a missile capable of hitting targets within 500 and 5,500 kilometers, a range prohibited by the treaty. If signed, the bill – which the House passed last week – would require Obama to submit quarterly reports to congressional committees detailing his and U.S. allies’ efforts to ensure accountability and to enforce the missiles’ elimination, as well as the President’s assessment of whether it is in the U.S. interest to remain party to the INF Treaty while Russia stays in noncompliance. Under the legislation, Obama would be required to report to the Senate committees on Foreign Relations and Armed Services, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, and the House committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. The bill also imposes additional economic sanctions on Russia and approves diplomatic and military assistance for Ukraine.