Trump cancels nuclear weapons control deal with Russia
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly terminated a key nuclear weapons control agreement with Russia after President Vladimir Putin deployed an intermediate-range missile during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The move marked a major turning point in global arms diplomacy, effectively ending decades of cooperative efforts between Washington and Moscow to limit nuclear escalation.
According to international reports, the missile launch, believed to violate the terms of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, prompted Trump to declare the agreement void, citing Russia’s repeated breaches and aggressive military behaviour. The treaty, originally signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, had prohibited both nations from developing or deploying ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres.
Trump’s decision, made during his tenure, reignited tensions between the two nuclear powers and raised concerns about the potential for a new arms race. Analysts noted that the U.S. administration viewed the treaty as outdated, especially as China—an emerging military power—was not bound by its restrictions.
Following the withdrawal, both the United States and Russia began testing and deploying new intermediate-range systems, heightening fears among global security experts about future confrontations. Critics argue that the decision undermined global non-proliferation efforts, while supporters insist it was necessary to counter Russia’s military provocations.
