Arms control

'Quid pro quo': Russia suspends INF nuclear treaty after US move

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has suspended Moscow's participation in a Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty after a similar move by the United States. 

The landmark 1987 arms control pact, which rid Europe of land-based nuclear missiles, eliminated the medium-range arsenals of the world's two biggest nuclear powers and reduced their ability to launch a nuclear strike at short notice. 

Moscow and Washington have long accused the other of violating the agreement.

The Russian move on Saturday comes a day after the US announced it was suspending compliance with the INF treaty and gave notice of its intention to withdraw from the pact within six months over alleged Russian violations.