NPT members reaffirm importance of Russia, US talks on New START

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Further progress in discussions between the US and Russia on the New START Treaty is critical, according to a draft of the report of the First Committee of the Review Conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) obtained by Sputnik.

The NPT Review Conference, which takes place every five years, is the premier event on the subject of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

The event's goal is to examine the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons' implementation throughout the reporting period and outline relevant initiatives for future nuclear weapons reduction.

The current conference, the tenth in a row, runs from August 1 to 26 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Several ministers from around the world took part in the first week of the debate.

A measure of the success of the conference will largely depend on whether the countries can reach a consensus on the final document of the event.

During the conference, discussions are held in three committees. "The Conference welcomes the extension of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation on Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) through February 4, 2026, and reaffirms the importance of further progress, including the negotiation of a successor agreement leading to further reductions in their stockpiles of nuclear weapons," the draft says.    

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The conference underscores the necessity of tangible and quantifiable efforts by nations (NPT participants) to reduce the level of nuclear weapons systems in a way that contributes to international peace and security, according to the text.

According to the draft report, the conference applauds the nuclear-weapon states' stance that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and that it must never be launched. "qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and the development of advanced new types of nuclear weapons," as well as the lack of progress "in reducing the role of nuclear weapons in security policy."

Concerns have also been raised over the lack of openness in these actions. The text emphasizes the need for all states to adhere to current moratoriums on nuclear weapons test explosions and other nuclear explosions.

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Last week, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia officially informed the United States that it was temporarily withdrawing from inspection activities under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) its facilities that are subject to inspections under this agreement.

Moscow is forced to withdraw its facilities from New START inspections due to the United States' actions, which deprive Russia of the right to inspections in the US.

"On August 8, 2022, the Russian Federation officially informed the United States of America through diplomatic channels that our country was temporarily withdrawing its facilities subject to inspections under this Treaty from inspection activities under the New START. This exemption also applies to facilities where screenings stipulated by the Treaty may be held," the ministry said in a statement, explaining that such actions are provided for by clause 5 of section I of chapter five of the New START protocol.