WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, which includes NATO and U.S.-Russia policy, released the following statement after reports that Russia secretly deployed a ground-launched cruise missile in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty).  Such a missile would directly threaten our European allies.

"Since election day, Russia has been on the march, testing the U.S. over and over. So far, the reaction from the new administration has been inexplicable silence. But now, by deploying cruise missiles in violation of the INF Treaty, Russia is directly threatening the security of the United States and our allies in and around Europe. This isn't a parlor game – this is a real time threat to the security of the U.S. and our allies. The president must make clear to our NATO allies that we remain firmly committed to their security. There is no room for equivocation here – we need to send a clear signal this action is unacceptable.”

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