Moscow/Washington, Feb 6 (.) Criticising the US for ignoring its proposal on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Russia has decried the US position, calling it “regrettable” as uncertainty continues to loom over the future of nuclear arms control.
Speaking in Geneva, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organisations, Gennady Gatilov, said that Moscow has received no official proposals from the White House regarding renewing negotiations to reduce nuclear arsenals.
He added that Russia remains open to political and diplomatic avenues to stabilise the strategic situation but will shape its approach based on a “careful analysis” of US military policy, reports TASS.
Gatilov said Russia’s advanced weapons systems, including Burevestnik and Poseidon, were designed to preserve strategic balance with the US, not to undermine it.
Despite landmark arms control agreement nearing its expiration, and no formal successor in place, both sides, while appearing to rekindle talks continue to back down on doing so, due to widespread differences on their respective visions, concerning the future of nuclear arms reduction.
His comments came following President Donald Trump’s refusal to support the agreement, who announcing Washington’s position wrote on Truth Social that instead of preserving parts of the New START framework, Washington and Moscow should negotiate an entirely new nuclear arms reduction agreement.
Trump has also signalled that any future treaty should include China, arguing that any arms control treaty in the current century would be incomplete without Beijing’s participation, particularly in light of its expanding arsenal.
The position was further echoed by US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno, who said Washington wants a new agreement that brings China into the framework.
He added that the White House plans to complete the modernisation of its nuclear forces after New START expires and is prepared to expand its deterrence capabilities in coordination with allies if necessary.
The White House has not confirmed whether Washington and Moscow will continue adhering to New START limits during any interim period of talks.
However, Axios earlier reported, citing a source, that the two sides had agreed informally to comply with the treaty’s restrictions for at least six months.
Reportedly, from Moscow’s side, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia and that it would be taking a “responsible approach” to the treaty and recognise the need to begin dialogue as soon as possible.
He confirmed that the issue of extending New START was discussed during recent talks in Abu Dhabi, which he described as “constructive but very difficult,” adding that negotiations would continue.
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