Putin Expresses Commitment: Russia Will Honor Nuclear Arms Deal with the US for an Additional Year

Putin’s Nuclear Arms Limits Announcement: A Closer Look

Moscow—President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Russia is willing to stick to nuclear arms limits for another year under the New START treaty, which is set to expire in February. He urged the U.S. to follow suit, suggesting that allowing the agreement to lapse could worsen global tensions and lead to a new arms race.

Putin emphasized that maintaining limits on nuclear weapons is vital for stability. “We want to keep the current conditions and avoid further escalation,” he mentioned in a televised address. He believes this approach could pave the way for meaningful dialogue with the United States.

The New START treaty, signed in 2010, caps each country to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 missiles and bombers. However, inspections meant to verify compliance have been stalled since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts warn that the treaty’s potential expiration without a successor deal could heighten the risk of nuclear conflict. Daryl G. Kimball from the Arms Control Association sees Putin’s announcement as a significant step. He believes both nations need to agree not to exceed the current limits to prevent rising tensions, especially as concerns about China’s nuclear capability grow.

Despite his willingness to adhere to the treaty, Putin also instructed Russian agencies to closely watch U.S. military activities. He flagged concerns about potential U.S. missile defense systems in space, suggesting that such developments could trigger a response from Russia.

In February 2023, Putin announced Russia would suspend participation in the New START treaty. He cited security concerns, given the U.S.’s support for Ukraine. Nevertheless, he assured that Russia would still respect the nuclear limits and notify the U.S. of ballistic missile tests.

This situation echoes past events. In 2019, the U.S. and Russia scrapped the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which had limited certain types of missiles. As tensions rise over the Ukraine war, NATO has accused Russia of aggressive maneuvers in Europe, including airspace violations.

As the world watches, experts stress the importance of diplomacy in preventing a costly arms race. Both nations must consider the broader implications of their actions—not just for themselves but for global security as a whole.

For more on nuclear security, visit the Associated Press.

Source link

Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Russia, International agreements, Dmitry Medvedev, Moscow, General news, AP Top News, Politics, Barack Obama, United States, Daryl G. Kimball, Nuclear weapons, Washington news, World news, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, District of Columbia, Ukraine