Russia sets conditions for rejoining New START

According to Sputnik news agency, on June 3, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that the condition for the country to resume full implementation of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is that the US abandons its "hostile policy" towards Russia.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (Photo: Reuters)

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ryabkov said that the recent US countermeasures against Russia related to New START did not surprise Moscow because Washington had warned about this move in advance, although the measures were like an ultimatum.

He stressed that Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START is irreversible "regardless of any countermeasures or actions from the US side."

Asked whether US countermeasures against Russia related to New START would aggravate the arms control situation, the Russian diplomat said this was "extremely serious".

According to Mr. Ryabkov, the comments of White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the annual conference of the US Arms Control Association in Washington on June 2 were not constructive and "promoted Washington's agenda to disrupt the balance of interests". He said that Russia would evaluate Mr. Sullivan's statements in detail.

Previously, the US said it would stop providing Russia with some necessary notifications under New START regulations from June 1, including updated information on missile locations and launchers.

The US side said that this decision was in response to similar actions by Russia.

On February 28 this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law suspending participation in New START but not withdrawing from this treaty.

He stressed that before returning to discussions on the issue of continued compliance with the treaty, Russia needs to know how New START will take into account the arsenals of not only the United States but also other nuclear powers in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Britain and France.

Russia and the United States signed New START in 2010. Under this agreement, Russia and the United States are obliged to exchange comprehensive data, including the number and characteristics of weapons systems, every six months.

The two countries pledged to reduce their strategic arsenals to no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads and 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers (TBs). In February 2021, Russia and the United States extended the treaty for another five years.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nga-neu-dieu-kien-tham-gia-tro-lai-new-start-151731.html