Michael Gahler, EPP Group Spokesperson on security and defence, calls for American-Russian negotiations in order to keep the INF treaty alive. Gahler declared:
“Nobody, especially in Europa, can have an interest to cancel the prohibition of land-based medium range missiles with a range of 500 to 5000 kilometres. In his talks in Moscow, John Bolton, Assistant to the US President for National Security Affairs, should explore new ways to comply with the provisions of the treaty rather than declaring to pull out of the treaty. While it is not disputed, that Russia has been violating the treaty provisions for years, both Americans and Europeans should work together towards the same objective, compliance with the treaty by both parties.”