A US State Department spokesperson confirmed, on Tuesday, that Russia is not complying with its obligations under the New START treaty to facilitate inspection activities on its territory.
He noted that Russia’s refusal to facilitate inspection activities prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the treaty and threatens the possibility of controlling nuclear weapons between the United States and Russia.
“Russia also failed to comply with the New START treaty obligation to hold a session of the Bilateral Advisory Committee in accordance with the schedule stipulated in the treaty,” said the spokesman, who preferred not to be named.
He explained, “Russia has a clear path back to full compliance. All it needs is to allow inspection activities on its territory just as it has done for years under New START, and to meet in session of the Bilateral Advisory Committee.”
“There is nothing to prevent Russian inspectors from traveling to the United States and conducting inspections,” he said. He stressed that the New START treaty remains in the national security interest of the United States. It continues to constrain Russia’s strategic nuclear forces and provides insights into Russian forces.
“The United States joined Russia in February 2021 to extend New START for another five years to make the world safer. To fully deliver on the treaty’s promise by ensuring it remains an instrument of stability and predictability, Russia must fully implement and comply with its commitments,” the spokesperson said.
He emphasized that the United States continues to view nuclear arms control as an indispensable means to enhance the security of the United States, its allies, and global security.
This is even more important in times of stress, when barriers of protection and clarity matter most.”
“The United States remains ready to work constructively with Russia for the full implementation of the New START treaty,” the spokesperson concluded.
On Monday, Russia warned that the only remaining nuclear arms control agreement with the United States might not be renewed in 2026, due to what it said were American attempts to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Moscow in Ukraine.
Both Russia and the United States have huge arsenals of nuclear weapons that together make up regarding 90 percent of the world’s nuclear warheads.
These weapons were partially restricted by previous treaties, including the “New START” that entered into force in 2011, and which was extended in 2021 until February of 2026.