Senator John McCain said that Russia's deployment of

nuclear-tipped ground-launched cruise missiles is in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

"As Vladimir Putin continues his testing of the new administration, Russia's deployment of nuclear-tipped ground-launched cruise missiles in violation of the INF Treaty is a significant military threat to US forces in Europe and our NATO allies," he said.

"Congress has made clear in the last two defence authorisation bills that Russia's treaty violation requires a meaningful response. In light of the most recent developments, it is time for the new administration to take immediate action to enhance our deterrent posture in Europe and protect our allies," McCain said.

Senator Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority leader called for an independent and transparent probe into the resignation of former national security advisor Michael Flynn.

"The White House knew for weeks that General Flynn misled the Vice President and that his discussion about sanctions with the Russian government could potentially compromise our national security, because it was subject to blackmail," he said.

"And yet, they let him stay on for weeks, present at and participating in the highest level of national security discussions until those reports were made public. If an investigation is not independent, nonpartisan, and most of all transparent, there is no guarantee this administration will take the decisive and immediate actions necessary to keep our country safe," he said.

"The way the White House responded to the supposedly new revelations about General Flynn over the past few weeks is downright suspicious and only confirms the need for an independent, bipartisan investigation modelled after the 9/11 commission to look into other connections to Russia," said Democratic National Committee senior advisor Zac Petkansas.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)