The Kremlin commented on the statement of the State Department on the missile treaty

Clarifications on the US State Department’s statement that Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START, START-III) is legally invalid, will be given by the Russian Foreign Ministry. This was stated by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov.

“I think that our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give clarifications to the statement of the State Department, this is still their prerogative. We can only remind you once again that by decision of the President, Russia has suspended its participation,” Peskov answered the question of what the Kremlin’s response to this statement would be and whether it could change Russia’s position.

Earlier it became known that the State Department considered legally invalid suspension of Russia’s participation in START. The State Department considers false accusations of the Russian Federation that the United States violated the central provisions of START. In particular, the upgraded SLBM launchers and heavy bombers that the United States withdrew from the START offset are no longer capable of using nuclear weapons, and the Russian side was granted the right to inspect these weapons. The procedures for withdrawing these weapons from the effect of START comply with the treaty, they added.

At the same time, Washington pointed out that there are no obstacles for the Russian side to carry out inspections on US territory in accordance with the treaty, including because of sanctions. They also stressed that US support for Kyiv does not relieve Russia of its legal obligations under START. The State Department also noted that they are ready to work with Moscow to fully implement the agreement, which strengthens the security of the United States, Russia and the whole world.

Law on Suspension of Russia’s Participation in START Russian President Vladimir Putin signed 28th of February. It followed from the document that the decision to resume the country’s participation in this treaty is made by the head of state. Putin announced on the suspension of Russia’s participation in START on February 21 in the course of a message to the Federal Assembly.

Peskov emphasizedthat Russia does not leave START is a suspension. According to him, Russia’s goal is to make sure that nuclear parity is observed, taking into account the arsenals of France and Great Britain, which are not included in the perimeter of the agreement.

START III was concluded in 2010 for 10 years, it was extended for another five years in 2021 with the coming to power of the administration of US President Joe Biden. It is now the last arms control treaty between Russia and the United States in force. It provided for the reduction of strategic weapons to 700 deployed (and 800 in total) carriers (submarines, intercontinental missiles and heavy bombers) and 1,550 deployed warheads.