US speaks after Russia suspends the only nuclear agreement between the two countries

The US criticized Moscow's decision after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of New START - the only working nuclear agreement between the two military powers.

Reuters reported, the US on February 21 accused Russia of making an irresponsible decision when it announced it would suspend New START.

In his State of the Union address yesterday, President Putin announced the "freeze" of New START. It is the only working arms control agreement between the two nuclear powers since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty in 2019.

New START places a limit on the number of nuclear warheads each side can deploy, as well as the vehicles carrying these weapons. Under the treaty, signed in 2010 and extended until 2026, Moscow and Washington committed to deploying no more than 1,550 nuclear warheads. It also stipulates that each side must not exceed 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear bombers. The total number of strategic nuclear transport vehicles should not exceed 800.

"Russia's announcement that it is suspending participation in New START is extremely regrettable and irresponsible. We will be watching carefully to see what Russia actually does. Of course, we will make sure that in any case In any case, we will be in the right position for the security of our country and of our allies," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

A US official and two US analysts told Reuters that the US reaction appeared to show calm to Putin's statements, and Washington wanted to create space for Moscow to still change course. Go.

Eugene Rumer, a former US national intelligence officer in charge of Russia and Eurasia, said: "In this tense atmosphere, I think it's perfectly appropriate for the US to appear calm, calm and self-controlled. physical.

Daryl Kimball of the Washington-based Arms Control Association said: "By suspending rather than withdrawing from New START, it appears that Russia intends to keep within limits some of the central provisions of the treaty. pact".

A US official said Washington was still trying to guess Putin's calculation behind the move.

Foreign Minister Blinken left open the possibility of resuming arms control negotiations with Russia at any time. Two of the key elements of the treaty - on-site inspections and bilateral committee meetings to implement the treaty - have been halted in recent times. It is not yet clear whether Russia will continue to exchange data under the treaty.

Late last month, the US accused Russia of violating New START by refusing to allow Washington to conduct inspections on its territory. Earlier, Russia accused the United States of behaving "severely against Russia" and this forced Moscow to withdraw from nuclear negotiations with Washington.

Russia pledges to remain in compliance with New START provisions

After Putin's speech, the Russian Foreign Ministry on the same day announced that the country would continue to comply with the limits on the number of deployable nuclear warheads under the New START treaty despite the decision to suspend participation in the treaty. join agreement.

The speaker of the State Duma (lower house) of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin said that Putin had submitted a draft law to suspend New START to the Duma. The House of Representatives will consider it on February 22 and make a decision immediately.

The draft will then be sent to the Senate, he said. Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senate's International Committee, told RIA news agency that the body may also consider the bill today.

"In order to maintain an adequate level of stability and predictability in the field of nuclear missiles, Russia intends to take a responsible approach and will continue to strictly adhere to quantitative restrictions in New START treaty," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

The agency also said it will continue to notify the United States of plans to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the United States for making Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START. Moscow accuses the US of not complying with the terms of the treaty and of trying to undermine Russia's national security.

"There is every reason to claim that American policy is aimed at undermining Russia's national security, which directly contradicts the basic principles enshrined in the preamble of the treaty," Russia alleges.

Moscow believes that the basic geopolitical reality on which the treaty was signed has changed and the terms have become one-sided, in favor of the United States.

Inspection of mutual nuclear arsenals was suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19. Russia canceled talks last November on the resumption of mutual inspections.

Moscow said it has no objection to the resumption of participation in New START if US policy towards Russia changes.

"The decision to suspend participation in New START can be reversed. To do this, Washington must show political will and goodwill efforts to de-escalate the commons," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

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