BRONX, NY—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement on the announcement by the Trump Administration of its intent to withdraw from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:

“Yet again, President Trump is alienating America’s allies, ignoring the advice of career security experts, and handing a strategic gift to Vladimir Putin. The INF Treaty has been a cornerstone of arms control for the past 30 years. It’s clear that Russia has violated the treaty again and again, which threatens Transatlantic security and stability. But the Administration should pursue serious diplomacy to save it, rather than rushing ahead with a plan to terminate the agreement, undermining international institutions and alienating our allies. By pulling out of the agreement, the President is creating an opening for a dangerous arms race in which Russia can act with impunity.”

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