Russia violates Cold War arms treaty and deploys new missiles
GETTY Russia is accused of breaking a Cold War treaty
Nato nations are said to be on high alert following the alleged deployment from Moscow and could substantially boost military spending to combat the threat from the ex-communist state. Retired Nato commander General Philip M. Breedlove warned last year that Russian military aggression “can’t go unanswered”.
GETTY Nato has conducted military exercises in eastern Europe
The Obama administration accused Russia in 2014 of violating a 1987 treaty which bans American and Russian intermediate-range missiles on land, something which the former Soviet nation refutes. Russia was encouraged by the previous US administration to correct the violation of the Cold War treaty while still in the test phase yet it appears Moscow has pushed ahead and deployed a fully operational unit. US officials claim Russia has two battalions of the prohibited SSC-X-8 land missiles, one located at its Kapustin Yar missile test site near Volgograd, while another was moved in December from the test site to another base elsewhere in the country.
11 things you need to know NATO Tue, February 14, 2017 NATO - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4th April 1949. The organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 11 Every member country, no matter how large or small, has an equal say in discussions and decisions. Photo shows: Signing the North Atlantic Treaty which marked the beginning of NATO, 1949.
The United States should build up its missile defence in Europe Longtime Pentagon official Franklin C. Miller
The advancement of Russia’s missile capability is said to have been increased after Obama left office last month. Longtime Pentagon official Franklin C. Miller said the deployment of the cruise missiles may be a way to expand its target coverage in Europe and China so it can focus its nuclear capabilities on the US. He said: “Clearly, the Russian military thinks this system is very important, important enough to break the treaty. “The United States should build up its missile defence in Europe... But if the United States wants to deploy a military response, it should be sea-based.”
GETTY General Breedlove said action must be taken