Deadlock over INF: Russia - NATO tense again!

To this day, both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the agreement and warn of retaliation if the other side “takes action.” With the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, is there really no hope of reviving the INF Treaty?

Russian President Vladimir Putin and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: Express.co.ok

As expected, the negotiations to save the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between Russian and NATO officials reached a deadlock over the weekend. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg himself admitted that there was no sign of a breakthrough and that the chances of finding a solution were “getting smaller and smaller.”

Mr. Stoltenberg also emphasized that Russia's continued violations were the only reason the INF Treaty was threatened; at the same time, he said that the INF could still be saved if Russia agreed to destroy the 9M729 medium-range weapons system - which is considered to violate the treaty.

However, Russia has always denied accusations from the US and NATO officials and said that it was the US that violated the Treaty when building the NATO missile defense system in Romania and seemed to want to resume the Cold War when planning to deploy a missile defense system in space.

In the latest statement, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Vladimir Dzhabarov affirmed that NATO's efforts to blame Russia for the collapse of the INF are baseless.

He also warned that Russia will have appropriate responses when medium- and short-range missiles are deployed in European NATO countries.

Russia's 9M729 medium-range weapons system has been accused by the US and NATO of violating the INF Treaty. Photo: DW

In the context of an impasse that cannot be resolved, and both sides constantly reporting to each other, Western officials are "restless" due to concerns about security risks that could erupt at any time.

Concerns are justified when not only are there verbal spats between Russia and NATO, but there have also been notable new moves. According to European sources, NATO military officials are considering upgrading missile defense systems to “lock down” Russia’s medium-range missile systems.

Meanwhile, the Black Sea is also becoming bustling as both NATO and Russia are simultaneously conducting military exercises. NATO's Sea Breeze exercise is taking place from July 1-12 in the northwestern Black Sea region with the participation of both Ukraine and Georgia.

Not to be outdone, the ongoing Russian exercise involves nearly 10 warships, including the large landing ships Azov and Caesar Kunikov.

The ball is in America's court.

Returning to the INF Treaty, if there is no progress by August 2, the US is likely to officially withdraw from this agreement. It should be recalled that the US has already suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty since February 2 this year, and has begun the 6-month withdrawal process.

However, it is also necessary to inform that although Russian President Putin signed the bill to stop implementing the INF, Russian law also stipulates that the President has the right to resume the implementation of this Treaty.

First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council (Russian Senate) Vladimir Dzhabarov also affirmed that there is still time to save the situation, because President Putin has passed a law to suspend the implementation of the INF Treaty, not withdraw from the INF.

This means that at this point, the INF Treaty is in a state of “temporary freeze.” This means that there is still a chance for the parties to salvage the agreement before the August 2 deadline.

US President Donald Trump is still looking for a solution to his relationship with Russian President Putin as well as the INF Treaty. Photo: Reuters

At this time, Russian officials believe that the decision lies with the US. The Russian President also affirmed that he is not seeking an unequal race with Washington.

Russia has approached the United States more than once, recommending that both sides resolve issues related to the INF Treaty, but Washington has rejected it. Not only that, according to Russian officials, the United States also seems not ready to discuss the extension of the New START Treaty, which expires in early 2021.

Some say that the US government has not yet found a real solution to its relationship with Russia, in the context of having to deal with too many complicated domestic and foreign issues.

The question that President Trump has probably asked is whether to confront major rivals China and Russia at the same time or to make peace with one side to reduce one concern? But if he makes concessions and normalizes relations with Russia, President Trump will certainly face many criticisms within the United States, which has always maintained a tough policy towards Moscow.

Therefore, in the context of the important presidential election approaching, President Trump is certainly in a dilemma, unable to make any significant decisions in relations with Russia.

However, between NATO member countries wanting to exert pressure to show toughness towards Moscow, and Russia seemingly persisting with a policy of strategic patience - waiting for changes in the US administration, President Donald Trump may find it difficult to remain silent for too long.

A new “move” must certainly be made by Mr. Trump before the August 2 deadline - the time when the US is expected to officially withdraw from the INF Treaty agreement.

How to not "intensify" further with Russia, but also reassure NATO members, and be able to find an acceptable solution for the INF, this is certainly not an easy problem for Mr. Donald Trump in less than 1 month!