Statele Unite a finalizat azi, 2 august, procesul de retragere din Tratatul privind Forţele Nucleare Intermediare (INF) cu Rusia, acţiune ce sporeşte temerile privind o nouă cursă a înarmării, informează postul BBC.

Azi a expirat preavizul de şase luni dat Moscovei de Washington, prin care Administraţia SUA avertiza că se va retrage din acord în cazul în care Rusia nu se conformează până atunci prevederilor cuprinse în tratatul semnat în anul 1987.

Preşedintele Donald Trump a anunţat în februarie că Statele Unite se vor retrage din Tratatul Forţelor Nucleare Intermediare (INF), acuzând Rusia de încălcarea acordului semnat în anul 1987. Tratatul semnat de Statele Unite cu Rusia prevede interzicerea rachetelor cu raze de acţiune cuprinse între 500 şi 5.500 de kilometri.

Donald Trump susţine că Rusia a încălcat acest Tratat, prin dezvoltarea rachetelor Novator 9M729 (SSC-8, potrivit terminologiei NATO), dar Administraţia Vladimir Putin a acuzat în mai multe rânduri că sistemele balistice instalate de Statele Unite în Europa, inclusiv în România, constituie încălcări ale acordului.

Asta in ciuda evidentelor ca sistemul balistic din Romania este 100% defensiv si ne-nuclear. Fapt cunoscut si de Rusia, care a filmat din interior Baza de la Deveselu.

La scurt timp după anunţul Washingtonului, preşedintele rus Vladimir Putin a transmis că ţara sa îţi suspendă obligaţiile prevăzute de acord.

Antonio Guterres, secretarul general al ONU, a afirmat că “o frână inestimabilă în calea unui război nuclear” a dispărut. “Acest lucru probabil va amplifica, nu reduce, ameninţarea reprezentată de rachetele balistice”, a adăugat liderul ONU, care a îndemnat toate părţile implicate să ajungă la un acord privind “o nouă cale comună pentru controlul armelor la nivel internaţional”.

Numeroşi analişti au avertizat că încetarea acordului ar putea conduce la declanşarea unei noi curse a înarmării între SUA, Rusia şi China.

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Un nou pact internaţional destinat să vină în locul Tratatului privind Forţele Nucleare Intermediare (INF), care îşi încetează existenţa vineri, ar trebui să includă şi China, a declarat ministrul de externe german Heiko Maas, adăugând totuşi că Beijingul manifestă reticenţă în această privinţă, informează Reuters.

Un nou tratat privind controlul armelor nucleare nu ar trebui să includă doar SUA şi Rusia, ci şi China, a declarat Maas la postul de radio DLF, indicând că ‘guvernul chinez este extraordinar de reticent şi, prin urmare, trebuie să continuăm să punem această problemă pe ordinea de zi’.

SUA au anunţat la 1 februarie că se retrag din pactul istoric încheiat la sfârşitul Războiului rece (1987), acuzând Rusia de încălcarea prevederilor tratatului.

Heiko Maas a declarat vineri că încetarea existenţei INF nu implică neapărat reînnoirea cursei înarmării la nivel global şi a adăugat că Europa nu va participa la niciun astfel de proces.

În acelaşi timp, ministrul de externe german a apreciat că odată cu încetarea INF, Europa pierde o parte din propria securitate, potrivit agenţiei de presă RIA Novosti.

‘Regretăm că Rusia nu a făcut ceea ce era necesar pentru salvarea INF. Mai mult, solicităm Rusiei şi Statelor Unite să menţină Tratatul de reducere a armelor strategice (Noul START)’, a adăugat şeful diplomaţiei germane, făcând referire la condiţia pusă de SUA şi NATO Moscovei pentru păstrarea INF de a distruge noua rachetă, SSC-8 (cu rază medie de acţiune, capabilă să transporte focoase nucleare), care – potrivit lor – încalcă prevederile INF.

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Statele Unite nu mai au interdicţie de a deţine rachete cu rază medie de acţiune lansate de la sol începând de vineri, odată cu retragerea din tratatul cu Rusia privind controlul armelor, însă fondurile pentru testarea şi dezvoltarea de rachete s-ar putea epuiza în curând, potrivit unor oficiali citaţi de Reuters.

Washingtonul a anunţat anul trecut că se va retrage din Tratatul Forţelor Nucleare Intermediare (INF), acuzând Rusia că nu a respectat înţelegerea. Moscova neagă acuzaţia că a încălcat tratatul şi spune că SUA s-au retras deoarece vor să urmeze o nouă cursă a înarmării.

În următoarele câteva săptămâni, SUA ar urma să testeze o rachetă de croazieră lansată de la sol. În noiembrie, Pentagonul intenţionează să testeze o rachetă balistică cu rază medie de acţiune. Însă ambele vor fi teste de arme convenţionale, nu nucleare.

Oficiali americani au declarat în această săptămână pentru Reuters că odată ce fondurile actuale se vor epuiza, testele şi cercetările viitoare vor fi în pericol, din cauza rezistenţei Camerei Reprezentanţilor, controlată de democraţi.

Spre deosebire de Senat, care este condus de republicanii preşedintelui Donald Trump, Camera Reprezentanţilor a refuzat să finanţeze solicitarea administraţiei de alocare a circa 96 de milioane de dolari pentru dezvoltarea de rachete în versiunea sa privind bugetul pentru anul fiscal 2020 şi în legea privind politica de apărare.

“Dacă reducem asta, atunci diminuăm capacitatea Departamentului Apărării de a răspunde la încălcarea de către Rusia a tratatului”, a spus un oficial american de rang înalt din domeniul apărării, rezumând mesajul Pentagonului către Congres.

“Nu va aduce tratatul înapoi, ci va ajuta Rusia”, a mai spus el.

Pentagonul speră că finanţarea va fi restabilită când Camera Reprezentanţilor şi Senatul se vor consulta pentru a rezolva discrepanţele din legislaţie. O purtătoare de cuvânt a Comisiei pentru Servicii Armate a Senatului a spus că aceste discuţii ar urma să aibă loc în următoarele săptămâni.

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Declaratia Secretarului General al NATO, Jens Stoltenberg :

COMUNICATUL NATO din 2 august 2019 :

Organizaţia Tratatului Atlanticului de Nord (NATO) consideră că ”Moscova poartă răspunderea exclusivă pentru încetarea existenţei Tratatului privind Forţele Nucleare Intermediare (INF)”, susţinând ferm decizia SUA de a se retrage din acest pact încheiat în 1987, informează dpa.

Rusia nu a făcut ”niciun pas demonstrabil de a reveni la respectarea obligaţiilor sale internaţionale”, a menţionat Consiliul Atlanticului de Nord într-un comunicat.

”Rusia poartă întreaga responsabilitate pentru încetarea tratatului”, susţine Alianţa în comunicatul citat de AFP.

NATO va răspunde într-o manieră ”măsurată şi responsabilă” la riscurile semnificative pe care le comportă racheta rusească 9M729 la adresa securităţii aliaţilor, subliniază principalul organism decizional al Alianţei Nord-Atlantice.

Aceste rachete sunt ”mobile, dificil de detectat şi pot atinge orice oraş european în doar câteva minute”, a explicat în mai multe rânduri în ultimele luni secretarul general al NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.

”Am adoptat un set de măsuri echilibrate, coordonate şi defensive pentru a ne asigura că postura de descurajare şi de apărare a NATO rămâne credibilă şi eficientă”, a subliniat Alianţa în acelaşi comunicat.

”NATO continuă să aspire la o relaţie constructivă cu Rusia, când acţiunile acesteia din urmă vor permite” acest lucru, a asigurat vineri Alianţa Nord-Atlantică, pledând pentru un ”sistem internaţional eficient de control al armelor, dezarmării şi neproliferării”.

Tratatul INF, încheiat în 1987, a permis distrugerea aproape în totalitate a unei categorii întregi de rachete nucleare cu rază intermediară în Europa şi a puţin peste 4% din arsenalul nuclear total al celor două ţări.

NATO nu vrea să se angajeze într-o nouă cursă a înarmărilor după încetarea Tratatului INF între SUA şi Rusia, dar se va asigura că ‘rămâne credibilă capacitatea sa de descurajare’, a anunţat vineri secretarul general al Alianţei.

”Noi nu dorim o nouă cursă a înarmărilor, dar ne vom asigura că descurajarea noastră este credibilă” în faţa desfăşurării noului sistem de rachete ruseşti ”capabile să transporte focoase nucleare şi să lovească oraşele europene în câteva minute”, a declarat Jens Stoltenberg într-o conferinţă de presă la sediul NATO din Bruxelles.

Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

• Russia today remains in violation of the INF Treaty, despite years of U.S. and Allied engagement, including a final opportunity over six months to honour its Treaty obligations. As a result, the United States decision to withdraw from the Treaty, a decision fully supported by NATO Allies, is now taking effect.
• Russia bears sole responsibility for the demise of the Treaty. We regret that Russia has shown no willingness and taken no demonstrable steps to return to compliance with its international obligations. A situation whereby the United States fully abides by the Treaty, and Russia does not, is not sustainable.
• NATO will respond in a measured and responsible way to the significant risks posed by the Russian 9M729 missile to Allied security. We have agreed a balanced, coordinated and defensive package of measures to ensure NATO’s deterrence and defence posture remains credible and effective.
• Allies are firmly committed to the preservation of effective international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. Therefore, we will continue to uphold, support, and further strengthen arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation, as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security, taking into account the prevailing security environment. NATO also continues to aspire to a constructive relationship with Russia, when Russia’s actions make that possible.
  
  DECLARATIA DE PRESA A SECRETARULUI GENERAL NATO :
  
  

In ultimul an, NATO a lansat mai multe avertismente Rusiei pentru a reveni la respectarea Tratatului INF :

Statement on Russia’s failure to comply with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

Issued by the North Atlantic Council, Brussels, 1 February 2019

• 01 Feb. 2019 –
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• Press Release (2019) 015
• Issued on 01 Feb. 2019
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• Last updated: 01 Feb. 2019 14:56

• English
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1. Following nearly six years of U.S. and Allied engagement with Russia, on 4 December 2018, NATO Allies declared that Russia has developed and fielded a missile system, the 9M729, which violates the INF Treaty, and poses significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security.  Allies strongly supported the finding of the United States that Russia is in material breach of its obligations under the INF Treaty and called upon Russia to urgently return to full and verifiable compliance.
2. Since that announcement, the United States and other Allies have remained open to dialogue, and have engaged Russia on its violation, including at a NATO-Russia Council meeting on 25 January 2019. Allies regret that Russia, as part of its broader pattern of behaviour, continues to deny its INF Treaty violation, refuses to provide any credible response, and has taken no demonstrable steps toward returning to full and verifiable compliance.
3. As a result, the United States is suspending its obligations under the INF Treaty in response to Russia’s material breach, and is providing the requisite six-month written notice to Treaty Parties of its withdrawal under Article XV of the INF Treaty. The United States is taking this action in response to the significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security posed by Russia’s covert testing, production, and fielding of 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile systems. Allies fully support this action.
4. Unless Russia honours its INF Treaty obligations through the verifiable destruction of all of its 9M729 systems, thereby returning to full and verifiable compliance before the U.S. withdrawal takes effect in six months, Russia will bear sole responsibility for the end of the Treaty.
5. NATO continues to closely review the security implications of Russian intermediate-range missiles and will continue to take steps necessary to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of the Alliance’s overall deterrence and defence posture. We will continue to consult each other regularly with a view to ensuring our collective security.
6. Allies are firmly committed to the preservation of effective international arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. Therefore, we will continue to uphold, support, and further strengthen arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation, as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security, taking into account the prevailing security environment.
7. We continue to aspire to a constructive relationship with Russia, when Russia’s actions make that possible.
8. We urge Russia to use the remaining six months to return to full and verifiable compliance to preserve the INF Treaty.

Defence Ministers address Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty and NATO’s response

• 26 Jun. 2019 –
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• Last updated: 26 Jun. 2019 20:21

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NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday (26 June 2019) to address Russia’s violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Alliance’s response. “We continue to urge Russia to return to full and verifiable compliance,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He underlined that Russia continues to produce and deploy SSC-8 missiles, and therefore NATO is preparing for a world without the INF Treaty. “Ministers have agreed today that NATO will respond should Russia fail to return to compliance,” said the Secretary General. He stressed that Russia still has a chance to save the INF Treaty and Allies will convey this message at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council next week.

NATO’s position on the INF Treaty :

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF Treaty, is crucial to Euro-Atlantic security. It eliminated a whole category of nuclear weapons that threatened Europe in the 1980s. All NATO Allies agree that the SSC-8/ 9M729 missile system developed and deployed by Russia violates the INF Treaty and poses a significant risk to Alliance security. Allies continue to call on Russia to return to full and verifiable compliance. At the same time, NATO is preparing for a world without the Treaty.

NATO’s position on key events

The INF Treaty was signed on 8 December 1987 by the United States and the former Soviet Union, and entered into force on 1 June 1988. It required both countries to eliminate their ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles that could travel between 500 and 5,500 kilometres (between 300 and 3,400 miles) by an implementation deadline of 1 June 1991.

By the deadline, the two countries had together destroyed a total of 2,692 short- and intermediate-range missiles: 1,846 Soviet missiles and 846 American missiles. It marked the first elimination of an entire category of weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

But in recent years, Russia has developed, produced, tested and deployed a new intermediate-range missile known as the 9M729, or SSC-8. The 9M729 is mobile and easy to hide. It is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It reduces warning times to minutes, lowering the threshold for nuclear conflict. And it can reach European capitals.

In July 2018, NATO Allies stated that after years of denials and obfuscation by the Russian Federation, and despite Allies repeatedly raising their concerns, the Russian Federation had only recently acknowledged the existence of the missile system without providing the necessary transparency or explanation. A pattern of behaviour and information over many years has led to widespread doubts about Russian compliance. NATO Allies said that, in the absence of any credible answer from Russia on this new missile, the most plausible assessment would be that Russia is in violation of the Treaty.

In December 2018, NATO Foreign Ministers supported the finding of the United States that Russia is in material breach of its obligations under the INF Treaty and called on Russia to urgently return to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty.

Allies have remained open to dialogue and have engaged Russia on its violation, including at a NATO-Russia Council meeting on 25 January 2019. Russia has continued to deny its INF Treaty violation, has refused to provide any credible response, and has taken no demonstrable steps toward returning to full and verifiable compliance.

As a result of Russia’s continued non-compliance, on 1 February 2019, the United States announced its decision to suspend its obligations under Article XV of the INF Treaty. This means that the United States could terminate the Treaty within six months of this date if Russia has not come back into compliance.

Also on 1 February 2019, NATO Allies said that unless Russia honours its INF Treaty obligations through the verifiable destruction of all of its 9M729 systems, thereby returning to full and verifiable compliance, Russia would bear sole responsibility for the end of the Treaty. NATO Allies also made clear that NATO would continue to closely review the security implications of Russian intermediate-range missiles and would continue to take steps necessary to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of the Alliance’s overall deterrence and defence posture.

On 15 February 2019, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recalled at the Munich Security Conference that “it was on this very stage, at the Munich Security Conference in 2007, this was the place that President Putin first publically expressed his desire for Russia to leave the INF Treaty. A treaty that is only respected by one side will not keep us safe”.

The Alliance will do everything that is in its remit to encourage Russia to return to compliance before 2 August 2019. NATO’s focus is to preserve the INF Treaty.

On 26 June 2019, NATO Defence Ministers urged Russia once again to return to full and verifiable compliance. Should Russia fail to comply, they also considered potential NATO measures, such as exercises, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air and missile defences, and conventional capabilities. NATO will also ensure that its nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective.

Defence Ministers confirmed that NATO has no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe. NATO will not mirror what Russia does, and does not want a new arms race.

Allies are firmly committed to the preservation of effective international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

“By fielding multiple battalions of SSC-8 missiles, Russia has made the world a more dangerous place.”
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

Missiles banned under the INF Treaty

A Soviet inspector examines a BGM-109G Gryphon ground-launched cruise missile in 1988 prior to its destruction.

Under the INF Treaty, the United States and Russia cannot possess, produce or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, or possess or produce launchers of such missiles.

The INF Treaty gives precise definitions of the banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles:

• An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is a ground-launched ballistic or cruise missile having a range capability between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometres. The term “ballistic missile” means a missile that has a ballistic trajectory over most of its flight path.
• A shorter-range missile means a ground-launched ballistic or cruise missile having a range capability between 500 and 1,000 kilometres. The term “cruise missile” means an unmanned, self-propelled vehicle that sustains flight through the use of aerodynamic lift over most of its flight path.

Timeline

• 8 December 1987: Signing of the INF Treaty.
• 11 May 1991: Destruction of the last missiles covered under the Treaty.
• 23 May 2013: The United States first raises its concerns with Russia about the missile system.
• 5 September 2014: Wales Summit: Allies call on Russia to preserve the viability of the Treaty
• 9 July 2016: Warsaw Summit: Allies call on Russia to answer US charges and preserve the viability of the INF Treaty
• 9 December 2017: Russia admits the SSC-8/9M729 exists but claims it is compliant
• 11 July 2018: NATO Allies declare that Russia appears to be violating the INF Treaty.
• 20 October 2018: The United States announces its intention to withdraw from the Treaty.
• 4 December 2018: The United States declares Russia in material breach of the Treaty.
• 4 December 2018: NATO Foreign Ministers support the US finding on Russia’s violation.
• 25 January 2019: NATO Allies urge Russia to return to compliance at a NATO-Russia Council meeting.
• 1 February 2019: The United States announces its decision to suspend compliance with the INF Treaty.
• 1 February 2019: NATO Allies issue a statement on Russia’s failure to comply with the INF Treaty.
• 14 February 2019: NATO Defence Ministers call again on Russia to come back into compliance.
• 26 June 2019: NATO Defence Ministers agree that NATO will respond, should Russia fail to return to compliance, and consider potential measures.
  
  
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