Written question asked by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Monday, 17 December 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 December 2018 (named day). It was answered by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 December 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Russia: INF Treaty

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department is considering further sanctions on Russia after that country’s material breach of its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Answer: The US and other NATO Allies have repeatedly raised their concerns about Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. On 4 December, NATO Foreign Ministers expressed strong support for the US finding that Russia is in material breach of the Treaty, and called on Russia to return to full, verified compliance. On the same day, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, announced that the US would suspend its participation in the INF-Treaty, effective in 60 days, unless Russia returns to compliance. We do not currently have plans for INF related sanctions, but will continue to use every opportunity to encourage Russia to take this final chance to preserve the Treaty, and we will consult closely with NATO Allies on the political and military implications of Russia's development and deployment of its new missiles.

Secondary information