The “New Start” treaty was intended to lead to mutual arms control between the US and Russia. According to media reports, the White House accuses Russia of violating the agreement. Nuclear arms control is threatened. “New Start” is the last remaining disarmament treaty with Russia.
The United States accuses Russia of failing to meet its obligations under the New Start disarmament treaty. The German Press Agency learned this from NATO circles on Tuesday evening. The US broadcaster CNN and the Wall Street Journal, among others, quoted from a corresponding statement by the US State Department. Russia refuses to allow inspections on its own territory, violating its obligations under the Nuclear Disarmament Treaty.
“Russia’s refusal to facilitate inspection activities prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the treaty and threatens the viability of US-Russian nuclear arms control,” the statement said.
The New Start disarmament treaty is the only remaining major arms control agreement between the United States and Russia. The treaty limits the nuclear arsenals of both countries to 800 delivery systems and 1,550 operational warheads each.
In February 2021, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to extend New Start until 2026. However, an important element of the treaty, the mutual control of the respective nuclear arsenals, has been suspended since the summer. Russia complained that it was no longer able to make inspection trips to the USA because of the sanctions imposed as a result of the Ukraine war, and for its part canceled western inspections.
