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Last Updated on October 22, 2018.

Oct. 22. 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty:

“For more than three decades, the INF Treaty has minimized the prospect of nuclear war by banning an entire class of nuclear arms from being built and deployed. Known as, ‘the treaty that ended the Cold War,’ the INF played a major role in reversing terrifying out-of-control arms racing and reducing the massive arsenals of both the United States and the then-Soviet Union.

With yet another reckless decision, Donald Trump is planning to unilaterally withdraw from this historic arms control agreement, dramatically increasing the risk of an unthinkable nuclear war.

“There’s no doubt that this move was accelerated by Trump’s national security advisor, John Bolton, who built his career on disdain for both arms control and international law and norms. U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty only adds to the dangers already posed by the U.S. nuclear arsenal being controlled solely by Donald Trump, who, it should be noted, casually made the INF announcement at a campaign rally.

“Withdrawing from the treaty will also do nothing to bring Russia back into compliance, despite absurd claims to that effect by the Trump administration. What’s more likely is an unnecessary and dangerous Cold War-esque nuclear arms race in which the only winners are weapons makers and those working to drive a wedge between the United States and Europe.

“Congress must speak out against this truly awful idea and pledge to refrain from funding the construction of any nuclear weapons that were banned under this treaty.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

October 22, 2018