US, Russia pulling out of INF sparks concerns

The United States and Russia both announced over the weekend that they will suspend a major nuclear weapons agreement, known as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a decision that has triggered grave concerns over the possibility of a new arms race between the world's two largest nuclear powers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, after accusing Russia of violating the treaty and not returning to compliance after a US ultimatum two months ago, said the US will suspend its obligations under the treaty effective Feb 2.

"We will provide Russia and the other treaty parties with formal notice that the United States is withdrawing from the INF Treaty effective in six months, pursuant to Article 15 of the treaty," he said on Friday, indicating that the treaty could still be saved if Russia returns to full and verifiable compliance with the treaty within the next six months.