02:24Russia: Moscow concerned about US delaying discussion of START renewal – Deputy FM Ryabkov
Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow was “very concerned” about the US delaying discussions on the future extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). He made the comment during a press conference in Moscow on Monday.
“The prospects of this treaty and its renewal remain uncertain,” he said, adding that Russia has repeatedly offered the US to consider extending START.
The deputy minister explained that the treaty allows for the retrofitting of strategic delivery vehicles for non-nuclear missions, but each party, in this case Russia, should be able to verify that the required modifications have been carried out.
Ryabkov also said that Moscow was concerned about “recent signals concerning the fact that START may not be extended as it is hardly in keeping with US’ interests in the sense these security interests are interpreted by the current administration and the political and military leadership of the country as a whole."
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is set to expire on 5 February 2021. It determinates the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers in the United States and Russia to be reduced significantly by February 2018.
02:24Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow was “very concerned” about the US delaying discussions on the future extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). He made the comment during a press conference in Moscow on Monday.
“The prospects of this treaty and its renewal remain uncertain,” he said, adding that Russia has repeatedly offered the US to consider extending START.
The deputy minister explained that the treaty allows for the retrofitting of strategic delivery vehicles for non-nuclear missions, but each party, in this case Russia, should be able to verify that the required modifications have been carried out.
Ryabkov also said that Moscow was concerned about “recent signals concerning the fact that START may not be extended as it is hardly in keeping with US’ interests in the sense these security interests are interpreted by the current administration and the political and military leadership of the country as a whole."
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is set to expire on 5 February 2021. It determinates the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers in the United States and Russia to be reduced significantly by February 2018.