The fearsome Oreshnik Missile, first used by Russia against a target in Ukraine, will be deployed to the country of Belarus.
Under the former Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, such a deployment would be impermissible. But the United States unilaterally withdrew from the ABM Treaty, meaning Russia can now deploy such weapons.
On December 13, 2001, the United States formally notified Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine of its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. The withdrawal became effective six months later, on June 13, 2002. This action allowed the U.S. to pursue the development and deployment of missile defense systems without the constraints imposed by the treaty.
The ABM Treaty, in effect since 1972, limited the development and deployment of missile defense systems by both the United States and the Soviet Union (later Russia). The U.S. argued that the treaty hindered its ability to defend against potential missile threats from rogue states and terrorists.
President George W. Bush, in his announcement, stated that the treaty prevented the U.S. from developing systems to protect its citizens from future attacks, particularly those from rogue states or terrorist organizations. He also emphasized the need for missile defense in a world where threats were evolving beyond the Cold War context.
Russia, while initially expressing concern, ultimately responded with restraint, stating that the withdrawal did not damage Russia's security. The withdrawal led to the Moscow Treaty, which reduced the number of strategic nuclear warheads. However, the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty also generated debate about its impact on strategic stability and the future of arms control.
Yesterday, in a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia announced it no longer considers itself bound by self-imposed restrictions on the deployment of medium- and short-range ground-based missiles/ Russia continued to abide the ABM Treaty even though the US withdrew. That self-imposed restriction is over.
Oreshniks are being deployed to Belarus - and perhaps elsewhere.
From Belarus, all the nations of Europe will be within range of these missiles that travel at hypersonic speed, and have multiple, independent re-entry vehicles (MIRV's) as warheads, against which there is presently NO DEFENSE.
