The State Department considered legally invalid the suspension of Russia’s participation in the New START Treaty

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, the statement US state department.

“Russia’s statement to suspend the New START Treaty is legally invalid. As a result, Russia remains bound by its obligations under the treaty.

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 count 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.

Washington also 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.

February 28 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed law on the suspension of Russia’s participation in START. 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 the suspension of Russia’s participation in START on February 21 during his address to the Federal Assembly.

The press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, noted that Russia is not leaving START, this 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.