NATO prepares to counter Russian missile threat if INF Treaty collapses

摘要

All options are on the table for NATO to counter Russia's new 9M729 nuclear-capable cruise missile, including a revision of NATO's nuclear posture and a possible technical modification of the allies' nascent ballistic missile defence (BMD) system, according to allied sources. The burden is on Moscow to renounce the 9M729 in order to regain compliance with the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty by 2 August, after which the United States will withdraw from it in protest.