Press Releases
Waltz Comments on Withdrawal from INF Treaty
Washington, DC,
February 1, 2019
“The INF was a landmark agreement of President Reagan’s that played an essential role in preventing nuclear war and reducing an arms race between the Cold War super-powers. However, Russia’s consistent violations, coupled with China’s advancement of its own weapons capabilities, demonstrate American compliance is no longer in the best interest of our national defense or security, nor that of our allies. Withdrawing from the INF, a step only taken after careful consideration of the facts, is a reciprocal and appropriate response to Russia’s aggressive attempts to undermine American interests and security and the threats we face from China’s advanced weapons capabilities. I applaud the President for untethering our ability to prepare and respond to emerging and growing threats to our homeland and interests.”
Congressman Michael Waltz (R-FL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the United States today decided to begin the six-month process to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. All 29 NATO members states today unanimously endorsed the U.S. decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty in response to Russia’s material breach of the agreement. “The INF was a landmark agreement of President Reagan’s that played an essential role in preventing nuclear war and reducing an arms race between the Cold War super-powers. However, Russia’s consistent violations, coupled with China’s advancement of its own weapons capabilities, demonstrate American compliance is no longer in the best interest of our national defense or security, nor that of our allies. Withdrawing from the INF, a step only taken after careful consideration of the facts, is a reciprocal and appropriate response to Russia’s aggressive attempts to undermine American interests and security and the threats we face from China’s advanced weapons capabilities. I applaud the President for untethering our ability to prepare and respond to emerging and growing threats to our homeland and interests.” |