TURNER on INF Withdrawal

February 1, 2019

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) released the following statement after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the United States will withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:

“I strongly support the decision to formally withdraw from this failed one-sided treaty. For years Russia has flagrantly and deliberately violated the INF Treaty by developing, testing, and fielding intermediate range cruise and ballistic missiles. The Obama Administration refused to recognize the reality of Russia’s actions, leaving us to comply with a treaty while our highly aggressive adversary violates it. Without verifiable compliance, the INF erodes global security and the goodwill it once signified. I look forward to working with the Administration to hold Russia accountable.”

Congressman Turner serves as the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, was former president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and is a senior member on the House Intelligence Committee.

###