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Trump raises risk of arms race with U.S. exit from nuclear treaty

The Trump administration announced plans to withdraw the United States from the INF Treaty of 1987, and blamed Russia.

A Russian warship with cruise missiles pays a friendly visit to San Francisco in 2010
A Russian warship with cruise missiles pays a friendly visit to San Francisco in 2010 (AN/Randy Chiu)

WASHINGTON (AN) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987, a move that could risk a new nuclear arms race.

He blamed Russia for the pullout, saying it violated the landmark agreement by developing nuclear-capable cruise missiles to threaten or provoke the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. Such accusations are now new, but the United States had not previously threatened to leave the treaty.

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