US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan said that the White House is ready to hold unconditional talks with Moscow for the continuation of the "New START" treaty.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed today, Saturday, in a press conference, that the United States had previously informed Russia of its new measures regarding the "START" treaty, stressing that his country pledged to fully abide by the treaty if the United States abandoned its hostile stance towards Russia.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a press conference on Friday that the White House is ready to hold unconditional talks with Russia to chart a future course for arms control after Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to suspend Russia's participation in the "New START" treaty to limit nuclear weapons.
Sullivan added that his country is ready to maintain the agreed limit on nuclear warheads until the expiration date of the treaty, which dates back to the Cold War period.
He stressed that his country "remains committed to the treaty if Russia does so, and is open to dialogue on building a new framework for managing nuclear risks once the treaty expires in February 2026."
Ryabkov commented that Russia would make a "detailed assessment of these statements". Stressing that, "besides the slogans aimed at improving the image of the United States, Sullivan's statements contain an undeniable destructive charge, and reflect an intention to maintain and enhance American superiority in some areas, and even aspirations to complete hegemony, and continue to undermine the balance of interests."
Another Russian official indicated that his country's decision to suspend the implementation of the START Treaty would remain constant "regardless of any American countermeasures," stressing that the condition for Russia's return to the treaty is "Washington's abandonment of its hostile policy towards Moscow."
On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of his country's participation in the "New START" treaty, against the backdrop of "ignoring" requests made by Moscow to supervise nuclear facilities in the United States.
"They (Western countries) want to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, and then supervise its nuclear facilities," he said in a speech to the Federal Assembly.
The United States reached the New START treaty with Russia on April 8, 2001, and stipulates that the maximum limits for strategic offensive warheads of the two countries be reduced by 30%, and the maximum limits for strategic launch vehicles by 50% compared to previous treaties.
This agreement represents "the last remaining arms control treaty between the two major nuclear powers in the world."
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