Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:
Russia has officially declared it no longer considers itself bound by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
- It was signed between the United States and Russia (Formerly known as the Soviet Union) in 1987.
- Under this treaty both powers agreed to destroy two categories of lethal missile systems from their own stocks as a means to decelerate the nuclear arms race.
- The need for such an expansive treaty was felt after a considerable build-up of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads by both sides in their European spheres of influence, threatening the security of the entire continent.
- The treaty came to fruition after years of negotiations during the leadership of US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
- The treaty led to the elimination of an entire class of weapons, ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres.
- It also allowed verification by observers from both sides — thus leading to the dismantling of 2,619 missiles in three years.
- Present status of the treaty: The US withdrew from it, citing violations by Russia.
