WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. from an arms control agreement with Russia (all times local):
10:45 a.m.
There doesn’t seem to be a consensus in Congress about whether President Donald Trump is making the right move when he says he will withdraw the United States from an arms control agreement with Russia.
Sen. Rand Paul says he thinks it’s “a big, big mistake to flippantly get out of this historic agreement.” He tells “Fox News Sunday” that both sides accuse the other of violations, and he wants to have “a rational discussion” with experts to see if Washington and Moscow can settle their differences.
The chairman off the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hopes Trump’s step is just a negotiating maneuver.
Sen. Bob Corker tells CNN’s “State of the Union” that “this could be something that’s just a precursor to trying to get Russia to come into compliance.” Corker says he hopes “we’re going to be able to figure out a way to stay within the treaty.”
But backing Trump is Sen. Lindsey Graham, who tells Fox News: “Absolutely the right move.” Graham says “the Russians have been cheating.”
___
9:05 a.m.
Germany’s foreign minister says President Donald Trump’s intention to pull out of an arms control agreement with Russia is “regrettable.”
Heiko Maas says in a statement that the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is “an important pillar of our European security architecture.” He says Trump’s announcement “raises difficult questions for us and Europe.”
The 1987 treaty prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles.
Maas says Germany has repeatedly urged Moscow to “clear up the serious allegations of breaching the INF treaty, which Russia has so far not done.”
He says Germany is urging Washington to “consider the possible consequences” of its decision, including for a U.S.-Russian nuclear disarmament treaty beyond 2021.
___
8:10 a.m.
Britain’s defense secretary says his country stands “absolutely resolute” with the United States as President Donald Trump says he’ll pull out from a landmark arms control agreement with Russia.
Gavin Williamson blames Russia for endangering the treaty. He’s calling on the Kremlin to “get its house in order.”
Trump says he’ll exit the agreement because Russia has violated it “for many years” and it’s preventing the U.S. from developing new weapons.
Backing Trump, Williamson tells the Financial Times that Moscow has made a “mockery” of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
The 1987 pact prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles
___
5 a.m.
A top Russian diplomat says President Donald Trump’s intention to withdraw from a landmark treaty on nuclear weapons is a perilous move.
And a Russian senator says the U.S. move to leave the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty would undermine nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as telling state news agency Tass that “this would be a very dangerous step.”
He says the move “will cause the most serious condemnation from all members of the international community who are committed to security and stability.”
Konstatin Kosachev is head of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament. He says on Facebook that a U.S. withdrawal from the treaty would mean “mankind is facing full chaos in the nuclear weapons sphere.”
___
12:30 a.m.
President Donald Trump says he will exit a landmark arms control agreement the United States signed with the former Soviet Union. He says Russia is violating the pact and it’s preventing the U.S. from developing new weapons.
The 1987 pact helps protect the security of the U.S. and its allies in Europe and the Far East. It prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles.
Trump is saying that “Russia has violated the agreement. They have been violating it for many years.”
The agreement has constrained the U.S. from developing new weapons, but Trump said America will begin developing them unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop the weapons.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.