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US Leaves INF Treaty, Says Russia 'Soley Responsible'

Steve Herman

   WHITE HOUSE - VOA's Margaret Besheer at the United Nations contributed
   to this report.

   The United States on Friday pulled out of the Intermediate Range
   Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty to develop its own new warheads after the
   Russians refused to destroy their new missiles NATO says violate the
   pact.

   "Russia failed to return to full and verified compliance through the
   destruction of its noncompliant missile system, the SSC-8 or 9M729
   ground-launched, intermediate-range cruise missile," said Secretary of
   State Mike Pompeo. "Russia is solely responsible for the treaty's
   demise."

   Pompeo, in a statement, added the United States "will not remain party
   to a treaty that is deliberately violated by Russia. Russia's
   noncompliance under the treaty jeopardizes U.S. supreme interests as
   Russia's development and fielding of a treaty-violating missile system
   represents a direct threat to the United States and our allies and
   partners."

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