U.S., Russia to Meet in Moscow This Week About INF Treaty

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller will travel to Moscow Thursday to lead a U.S. delegation in talks about U.S. claims that Russia has violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. U.S. accusations center on the R-500 ground-based cruise missile, and it has asked Russia to destroy all missiles and launchers involved in tests that violate the INF Treaty, which prohibits tests of missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.

The U.S. first requested the talks when it accused Russia of the treaty violations, and it is expected to press Russia for answers about the tests in question and press for it to return to compliance with the INF. Russia has previously questioned the utility of the treaty but has publicly said recently that it remains committed to the pact. It has also countered U.S. claims with its own contentions that the U.S. has violated the treaty with its production of armed drones.