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Economic Times
24 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Back to Cold War era? Russia ends nuclear treaty as Trump sends nuke submarines into position
Synopsis Russia has formally dropped its self-imposed restrictions under the 1987 INF Treaty, blaming the West for escalating tensions. Once a Cold War milestone, the INF deal curbed the deployment of mid-range nuclear missiles. Now, with the US redeploying submarines and preparing missile stations in Europe and Asia, Moscow says the conditions that kept the treaty alive no longer exist. Amid nuclear posturing and diplomatic threats, a new era of arms competition is quietly but rapidly taking shape. TIL Creatives Representative AI Image Russia has now officially abandoned its last pretence of observing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. In a statement released on Monday, the Foreign Ministry made it clear: Moscow "no longer considers itself bound" by its "previously adopted self restrictions" under the treaty. It cited the deployment of US intermediate-range weapons in Europe and the Asia-Pacific as a direct threat to Russian treaty, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, was supposed to end one of the most dangerous chapters of the Cold War. It banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres. Over 2,600 missiles were dismantled. At the time, it was hailed as a major arms control optimism didn't last. The US formally withdrew from the INF in 2019 under President Donald Trump, who argued that Russia had been breaking the rules for years by developing and deploying the 9M729 missile system (known to NATO as the SSC-8). Moscow denied the claim, but the accusations dated back to at least 2014, during Barack Obama's the US withdrawal, Russia kept its own moratorium, on paper. In practice, its actions in Ukraine suggested November, Russia reportedly used an Oreshnik missile, a weapon with a range that breaches the now-defunct treaty, against a Ukrainian city. That missile, which President Vladimir Putin has confirmed is now in service, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and is already being deployed to Belarus. A troubling development, considering Belarus borders three NATO members. Russia's decision to end its observance of the treaty comes just days after former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev issued a nuclear threat online. In response, Trump ordered two US nuclear submarines to be 'positioned in the appropriate regions.' He later told Newsmax, 'When you talk about nuclear, we have to be prepared… and we're totally prepared.'Trump added, 'Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.'Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, hasn't been subtle. He posted on X, 'This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps.'His claim: NATO's "anti-Russian policy" has triggered the end of the missile moratorium. It's a familiar message from Moscow, one that frames every escalation as a defensive nuclear rhetoric has become a regular feature in Russia's propaganda arsenal. It's part sabre-rattling, part information a bigger context to all this. The United States plans to begin 'episodic deployments' of intermediate-range missiles to Germany from 2026. Typhon missile launchers have already appeared in the Philippines. US weapons testing during Australia's Talisman Sabre military exercise also raised Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking to RIA Novosti last December, said the unilateral moratorium was 'practically no longer viable.' He blamed the US for ignoring joint warnings from Moscow and Beijing.'The United States arrogantly ignored warnings from Russia and China and, in practice, moved on to deploying weapons of this class in various regions of the world.'Putin himself has warned that the collapse of the INF Treaty would 'significantly erode the global security framework.'The Kremlin, however, played down Trump's submarine comments. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, told reporters:'In this case, it is obvious that American submarines are already on combat duty. This is an ongoing process… of course, we believe that everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric.'Tensions between Moscow and Washington are running high. Trump has issued an ultimatum: Putin must agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by August 9 or face sweeping new sanctions, including penalties against oil buyers like India and China. Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected in Moscow this Putin doesn't look ready to fold. Last week, he claimed that while peace talks had shown 'some positive progress,' Russia has the 'momentum' in the war. That doesn't sound like a man ready to pull this really means is that the arms control era that started in the 1980s is over. Dead, buried, and now being actively INF Treaty wasn't perfect. It didn't cover sea- or air-launched weapons. It didn't include China. And enforcement was always shaky. But it worked as a firebreak. Without it, there are fewer guardrails. More room for miscalculation. And a growing temptation to escalate, decision to scrap its remaining commitments marks a shift from strategic ambiguity to open rearmament. The US won't be far so, nearly four decades after the Cold War began to cool, the world is once again talking about nuclear missiles in Europe. Not as history, but as breaking news.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Russian Soldier Shoots Down Ukrainian Drone Mid-Air Using Assault Rifle
/ Aug 05, 2025, 09:47AM IST Russian troops shot down Ukrainian drones using assault rifles in a dramatic frontline clash. Fiery video footage captured the moment drones exploded mid-air under heavy gunfire. The attack unfolded near Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region, where a Ukrainian drone strike targeted a moving freight train. Acting fast, Russian soldiers opened fire, taking down multiple UAVs and saving the convoy from destruction in what became a stunning display of low-tech defence.
Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Christmas at White House: Want to volunteer or perform? Check if you are eligible
'Tis the season! Well, not quite, but planning for Christmas is on at the White House, and President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are continuing the tradition of welcoming volunteers to celebrate the festive season at the People's House. Applications to volunteer at the White House for Christmas 2025 opens today. (X/@WhiteHouse45) Americans from all states and territories of the US are welcome to apply for the chance to help in decorating the White House or to showcase their performing talents at the holiday open houses. Applications for Christmas 2025 opens today, so here's a look at the eligibility criteria. White House decoration volunteer: Eligibility criteria The first criteria when applying for the volunteer's post is to be 18 years old. Group applications will not be accepted, the White House said. Volunteers have to be in Washington DC for the shifts they apply to. They are expected to be available from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. No decoration activities will take place on Thanksgiving, the White House announced. The shift schedule is – Shift 1 (Monday, 11/24 - Wednesday, 11/26) Shift 2 (Friday, 11/28 - Sunday, 11/30) Full Week (Monday, 11/24 - Sunday, 11/30) Either Shift 1 or Shift 2 (not full week)' The White House has also mentioned that duties during Shift 1 will involve work at an offsite facility. These duties will need physical activity, 'including but not limited to heavy lifting, work on ladders, and extended periods of time standing,' the notification said. Also Read | Why does Donald Trump want the Nobel Peace Prize so badly? The White House will provide two meals a day, but apart from that, volunteers have to figure out their individual travel, accommodations, and personal expenses. There is no guarantee that all applicants will be selected, but those that are have to provide their personal information for a background check and other security measures. The final acceptance will hinge on this background check. White House Christmas performer: Eligibility criteria Performers and musical groups including school bands, choirs, and holiday-themed entertainers are encouraged to apply, the White House notification said. There should be only one application per group, and the main point of contact (POC) will have to be 18 years or older. The vocal performances have to be acapella or with acoustic accompaniment. No amplification is allowed or offered. Here, too, applicants have to figure out their own expenses, and submit themselves to a background check. In both cases, the deadline for applications ends on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 5:00 pm ET. Selected applicants will be notified by Monday, October 13, 2025, 5:00 pm ET.
