Price: we still expect Russia to return to the New START

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Mar 2023 00:13

Replying to questions about renewing the New Start treaty, Ned Price said that they still expect Russia to return to the deal

State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a briefing at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The United States is still expecting Moscow's return to compliance with the New START following their decision to suspend participation in the treaty, so it is too early to talk about a potential renewal of the treaty, according to State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday.

"Before we start talking about what happens in 2026 and a potential renewal of the New START treaty, we want to focus on bringing Moscow back into compliance with the treaty," Price said during a press briefing. "There is a very uncomplicated way for Russia to come back into compliance: it needs to take part in inspections. That’s something that can happen fairly quickly."

Last month, in a state-of-the-nation address, Russian President Vladimir Putin reveals that Russia is suspending participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

He described NATO's demand that Russia returns to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which includes providing access to nuclear sites for inspections, as "absurd".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken considered Russia's decision to suspend a nuclear arms reduction treaty with the US, New START, was "deeply unfortunate and irresponsible" but said Washington remained willing to talk about the issue.

NATO chief and the EU's top diplomat Jens Stoltenberg warned that Russia's suspension of the New START treaty with the United States marked the end of Europe's post-Cold War arms control architecture.