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<p>We have been discussing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with
the US for a number of years as part of our continuous dialogue on security issues.
The US also initiated a series of meetings on INF with close Allies in 2017 and 2018,
during which we discussed the US approach and exchanged detailed information on the
Russian violation and how we might best achieve our shared policy objectives.</p><p>NATO
Allies first expressed concerns about Russian non-compliance with its INF Treaty obligations
in 2014. In the last two years, there has been an intensification of Allied activity
to encourage Russia to return to compliance.</p><p>We, along with NATO Allies, support
the US decision to suspend its participation in the INF Treaty and start the treaty's
formal withdrawal process. A situation whereby the US was fully aiding by the INF
Treaty and Russia was not, was not sustainable. Following the US announcement, NATO
issued a statement declaring full support for US action and urging Russia to use the
six month withdrawal period to return to full and verifiable compliance to preserve
the INF Treaty.</p>
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