Russia has reportedly consented to observe the limits of a it made with the U.S. years ago following the pact’s expiration last week — provided Washington follows suit.
The Associated Press reported that the New START Treaty’s termination on Feb. 5 leaves the countries possessing the two biggest nuclear stockpiles without constraints for the first time in over fifty years. The lapse has sparked concerns about a potential unrestricted nuclear weapons competition.
In September, President Vladimir Putin stated Russia would honor the nuclear arms agreement for an additional year beyond its termination date if the U.S. did likewise, the AP reported. However, President has expressed desire for China to join a new accord, a proposal Beijing has declined, according to the AP.
“Instead of extending ‘NEW START’ (a poorly negotiated U.S. deal that, among other matters, is being seriously breached), our nuclear experts should develop a new, enhanced, and updated treaty that can endure far into the future,” Trump posted on upon the treaty’s expiration.
In reply to Digital’s request for comment on the now-defunct treaty, the White House referred to the president’s Truth Social message.
The AP reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed legislators regarding the treaty, stating Moscow would “respond in a responsible and measured manner based on assessment of U.S. military policies.”
Lavrov added that “we have grounds to think the United States is not rushing to discard and that they will be followed for the near future.”
“We will carefully watch how the situation truly develops,” Lavrov stated. “Should our American partners’ aim to preserve some form of cooperation on this matter be verified, we will actively pursue a new accord and examine topics that have stayed beyond strategic stability pacts.”
The was signed in 2010 by President and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, and took effect on Feb. 5, 2011.
The accord provided the U.S. and Russia until Feb. 5, 2018, to achieve the primary ceilings on strategic offensive weapons. The treaty limits each nation to 700 deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and nuclear-ready heavy bombers; 1,550 deployed warheads; and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers and bombers. The signatories were subsequently required to uphold these ceilings while the treaty stayed active, which continued until last week.
The treaty’s termination follows shortly after a meeting of U.S. and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi. that the two nations were nearing an arrangement to honor the treaty for at least six months following its expiration. The source added that negotiations for a new agreement would occur during the six-month period.
The State Department did not promptly answer Digital’s request for comment.