Signing of the INF Treaty Between U.S. and USSR
December 8th, 1987
December 8th, 1987
How Long Ago?
37 years, 3 months, 7 days ago
Location
Washington, D.C., United States
Category
Politics & Government
People
- Ronald Reagan
- Mikhail Gorbachev
Links & References
Tags
Signing of the INF Treaty Between U.S. and USSR
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the White House. This agreement marked a significant de-escalation in Cold War tensions, aiming to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons. The treaty resulted from extensive negotiations between the two superpowers and reflected a growing willingness to address arms control issues. The signing event was attended by various officials from both countries and highlighted a changing relationship between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Eliminated a whole class of nuclear weapons
Marked a peak in U.S.-Soviet negotiations
Symbolized a thaw in Cold War tensions
Influenced future arms control agreements
What Happened?
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was a landmark arms control agreement signed in the White House by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The treaty aimed to eliminate all ground-launched intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles, covering a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers. Both nations committed to the destruction of their nuclear and conventional missile arsenals, which had been a major focus of Cold War tensions since the deployment of these missiles began in the 1970s. The signing ceremony represented the culmination of extensive negotiations driven by mutual concerns over the growing nuclear threat posed by missile deployments in Europe, particularly regarding the U.S. Pershing II and Russian SS-20 missiles.
Why Does it Matter?
The INF Treaty was significant as it not only eliminated a specific class of nuclear weapons but also marked a thawing in U.S.-Soviet relations, contributing to the broader end of the Cold War. It set a precedent for future arms control agreements and demonstrated that dialogue and negotiation could yield substantial results in reducing nuclear arsenals. The treaty laid the groundwork for subsequent agreements that further decreased the number of nuclear weapons and ultimately played a role in international arms control discussions.
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