House Republicans pressed the Obama administration on Tuesday to be more aggressive in challenging Russia’s apparent violation of a 1987 treaty barring land-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
“There have been no consequences for the violation of the treaty,” said Rep. Ted Poe, chairman of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, which held a joint hearing with a House Armed Services subcommittee on the issue.
“What’s the administration going to do to hold the Russians’ feet to the fire, to hold them accountable?” the Texas Republican asked.
The hearing was called to examine what the administration had done in the year since it charged Russia with violating the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty by testing a ground-launched cruise missile. Russia denies the test violated the treaty.
“Throughout the course of this year we have raised the issue with Russian officials on repeated occasions,” said Rose Gottemueller, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
“I assure this committee that the Obama administration is committed to bringing Russia back into compliance with the INF treaty.”
Some Republicans have suggested the United States should withdraw from the treaty, which was the first to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapon. But Gottemueller said the administration’s careful approach to handling Russia’s violation reflected the view of U.S. allies that nothing be done to sabotage the treaty.
“They have been very keen to ensure that the INF Treaty remains in force,” she told the panel, noting that allies have been working with U.S. officials on possible diplomatic, economic and military steps to prod Russia back into compliance.
A provision in the annual defense policy bill, which President Obama signed into law last week, requires the Pentagon to begin research on a possible military response to Russian violations.
