Pompeo Expected To Announce Intent To Withdraw From INF Treaty

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will announce that the U.S. is suspending its compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, reports CBS News. 

Pompeo is anticipated to make the announcement on Friday. A Kremlin spokesman said he expected to receive official confirmation in a few days. 

The decision was not a surprise after both sides announced on Thursday that weeks of talks failed to produce a solution, reported NBC News.

The announcement launches a six-month process before the U.S. can formally withdraw from the accord. Should Russia come into compliance during that period, Washington could elect to return to the agreement. 

On Dec. 5, Pompeo announced that the U.S. would suspend the treaty in 60 days. 

Washington maintains that the Russian 9M729 cruise missile violates the treaty, which bans both countries from stationing  land-based nuclear missiles with ranges between 310 miles (500 km) and 3,410 miles (5,500 km) in Europe. 

Arm control experts have expressed concern that the move could result in a new missile race in Europe.