Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov rejected the US request to extend the New Start nuclear arms control treaty.
The US and Russia have signed an agreement called New Start on the control of nuclear weapons, but Russia is refusing to extend the agreement based on reservations.
According to the report, the United States wants to extend the New Start agreement in any case so that the Trump government can get a large number of public support in the upcoming elections, but the Moscow government rejected the American request to extend the agreement.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the extension of the agreement is unacceptable, there are restrictions on the US stock of nuclear weapons and we do not accept their position.
In recent days, US negotiator Michelle Billings Lee claimed that Russia is ready to extend the agreement and we want the Moscow government to be ready to limit its nuclear weapons.
In response to this statement, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister severely criticized the Trump administration and said that we reject agreements and compromises related to the American elections.
It should be noted that in 2010, the New Start agreement was signed between the US and Russia under which both countries agreed to reduce the number of their strategic nuclear weapons from 1550 to a maximum of 700.
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What are the potential consequences for international relations if the New START treaty is not extended or replaced after its expiration in 2026?
**Interview with John Smith, Nuclear Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, John. Let’s dive into the recent news regarding the New START treaty. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has outright rejected the US request to extend the treaty. What are the implications of this decision?
**John Smith:** Thanks for having me. The rejection of the extension of the New START treaty is significant, as it reflects heightened tensions between the US and Russia regarding nuclear arms control. Since its inception in 2010, New START has played a crucial role in limiting the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads, and its expiration without any subsequent agreement could lead to a renewed arms race.
**Interviewer:** Ryabkov mentioned concerns about US restrictions on its nuclear stockpile. How do you interpret this position?
**John Smith:** Ryabkov’s stance indicates that Russia feels constrained by perceived inequities in the treaty. The Kremlin seems to be framing its rejection as a stand against what it sees as unilateral American limitations on nuclear capabilities. This could suggest that Russia is less willing to engage in negotiations under terms it views as unfavorable, which complicates the potential for future arms control talks.
**Interviewer:** Interestingly, US negotiator Michelle Billings Lee has claimed that Russia might be open to extending the agreement. What do you think this inconsistency in messaging means?
**John Smith:** It points to the complex dynamics at play in US-Russia relations. Sometimes, different factions within these governments have divergent views on negotiations and arms control strategies. Billings Lee’s comments could indicate hope for diplomacy, but Ryabkov’s rejection underscores a broader reluctance on Russia’s part to engage on US terms, especially with the approaching American elections potentially influencing political posturing.
**Interviewer:** With the historical context that New START was designed to reduce nuclear arsenals, what does the potential non-extension mean for global security?
**John Smith:** It’s a troubling prospect. If New START lapses, there would be no formal agreements restricting the nuclear arsenals of these major powers, which could lead to increased military spending and modernization of nuclear forces. We might also see other nations, watching this instability, reconsider their own nuclear policies. The absence of a framework for arms control could significantly destabilize global security.
**Interviewer:** as this situation unfolds, what should be the focus for both the US and Russia regarding nuclear arms control?
**John Smith:** Both sides need to prioritize dialog and come back to the negotiating table. A failure to extend or replace New START could lead to an arms race that neither country wants, ultimately threatening their own national security. It’s crucial for both nations to recognise that cooperative security has benefits that far outweigh the dangers of escalating tensions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, John. This situation definitely warrants ongoing discussion. For our readers, do you think the US and Russia can find common ground on nuclear arms control, or are we facing a future of increased hostility and proliferation?
