Anti-nuclear campaigns have responded to Donald Trump’s decision to begin US withdrawal from the INF treaty.
Sara Medi Jones, CND spokesperson, said:
“This is a very dangerous decision. The US beginning the process of withdrawal threatens to ramp up a nuclear arms race between the US and Russia.
“Let’s remember this decision comes after the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, so Trump appears to be attempting to break with all forms of international arms control.
“From a UK perspective, we could now see a return to US nuclear missiles on British soil like we did in the 1980s.
“The British government must step up over the next six months to do all it can to save the treaty. It should also guarantee that it will not offer to host US nuclear missiles if the treaty is scrapped – to do so would massively increase the threat of nuclear war here in Europe.
“NATO’s decision to place the blame solely with Russia is highly irresponsible. Both Russia and the US have concerns that the other side isn’t fulfilling their obligations. These concerns must be discussed and resolved, but it will be much harder to do that now the US is withdrawing.”