Russia Wants to Avoid a New Missile Arms Race in Europe

Stratfor Worldview

Security, Europe

And that's a good thing.

Key point: The collapse of arms control treaties is dangerous and destabilizing.

What Happened: Russian President Vladamir Putin reportedly sent written proposals on Sept. 19 to "several dozen" European capitals, as well as the EU foreign affairs agency and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, to suggest a moratorium on the deployment of the ballistic missiles previously banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Russia's Interfax news service has reported.

Why It Matters: It appears that Moscow is seeking further formalization of stated intent not to deploy such weapons in Europe following the collapse of the INF Treaty. While it wouldn’t entirely eliminate the possibility of either party covertly trying to deploy such missile capabilities in the European theater, an official moratorium would at least provide an additional barrier.

Background: The demise of the INF Treaty between the United States and Russia in October 2018 has fueled fears of renewed missile deployments in the European theater, despite both countries declaring they have no intent of doing so.

Russia, EU: Putin Proposes Moratorium on INF-Banned Missiles in Europe is republished with the permission of Stratfor Worldview, a geopolitical intelligence and advisory firm.

Image: Wikimedia.