The UK Foreign Office signaled early last month that the United Kingdom might host US missiles following reports that Washington is considering potential military responses to alleged Russian violations of the treaty banning the use of intermediate missiles.
"It appears that there are some hawks who are trying to provoke a conflict with Russia over this matter and we must reject this provocation," CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said.
The United States claims Russia is not in compliance with the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty banning the development and deployment of nuclear and conventional ground-launched intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly dismissed the accusations, pointing out instead to reported US violations of the treaty.
One possible response to Moscow’s alleged violations of the INF proposed by the Pentagon is to deter Russian forces by deploying US nuclear missiles in Europe.
"In the event that there were plans to site cruise missiles in Britain, we would work ceaselessly to oppose it," Hudson stressed.
Russia has to date maintained that it is in compliance with the INF Treaty and argues that US deployment of intermediate missiles in Europe would constitute a violation of the terms of the Treaty.
