Russia announces new steps as nuclear arms control limits expire

Russia has said it will maintain a responsible position even after the expiration of the New START nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed this information. The two superpowers agreed to limit the number of missiles, launchers and strategic warheads through this treaty called New START. The treaty expires today (Thursday).

Earlier, arms control experts had thought that the treaty would expire on Wednesday (February 4). However, Peskov told reporters, “Today (Thursday) the treaty will expire, and with it (the treaty) will completely lose its effectiveness.”

Russia had offered the United States a one-year extension of the treaty. So that there would be enough time to negotiate a new agreement. However, according to Peskov, the United States has never officially responded to this proposal.

“The treaty is nearing its end. We view it negatively. We regret it,” the Kremlin spokesman said, adding that the issue had been raised in a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping a day earlier.

“What happens next will depend on how the course of events develops,” Peskov said. “In any situation, the Russian Federation will maintain its responsible and cautious position on strategic stability in the field of nuclear weapons. As always, Russia will put its national interests first.”

Source: Reuters