Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said it could bring nuclear war “much closer”. Alarm spread through Europe after the announcement on Friday with EU officials fearing it would allow a build-up of intermediate-range nuclear weapons on their Eastern flank. Member of the German parliament and key figure in the European parliament Manfred Weber tweeted: “The announced suspension of the INF-treaty by the United States is an urgent wakeup call for Europe. “The consequences of scrapping this agreement could put us back decades. Russia’s noncompliance is a serious threat to security in Europe.”
He added: “A European diplomatic initiative is urgently needed with Russia to prevent further escalation and safeguard the commitments in the INF-treaty.
“Europe should take more control of its security interests in the region and the world.”
US and European politicians have called for urgent measures to avoid a nuclear arms race after Trump abandoned the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Trump administration officials have cited Russia’s noncompliance with the treaty as the reason for leaving the deal.
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But many experts argue that the treaty’s demise will put US allies at risk, a concern shared by Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
Mr Murphy tweeted: “The withdrawal of America from the world continues unabated.
“Ending the INF Treaty is a gift to Russia, it allows them to speed ahead with medium-range nuclear weapons without the watchful eye of the US.
“We get no benefit and loads of additional risk.”
Trump announced the US would withdraw from the INF Treaty on Saturday.
The President said: ”The United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty and begin the process of withdrawing, which will be completed in six months unless Russia comes back into compliance by destroying all of its violating missiles, launchers, and associated equipment.”
He added: ”We cannot be the only country in the world unilaterally bound by this treaty, or any other.
“We will move forward with developing our own military response options and will work with NATO and our other allies and partners to deny Russia any military advantage from its unlawful conduct.”
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty prohibits the production or testing of ground-launched cruise missiles with a range of 300 to 3,400 miles.
The announcement comes a day after Russia and the United States said that discussions to save the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty had failed.