Russia rejects US claims on New START violations

PHOTO XINHUA MOSCOW - Moscow strongly rejects the claims made by the United States on Russia's alleged non-compliance with the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty New START, Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

The Russian side categorically rejects the claims made by US representatives regarding our country's 'non-compliance' with the provisions of the New START, and said detailed official explanations on the issue were passed on to the US side through diplomatic channels.

The ministry said that the United States has restricted all opportunities for Russia to conduct unimpeded inspections on US territory, which is a violation of the treaty.

The treaty is guided by the principle of indivisible security and the concept of building strategic relations based on mutual trust, openness and predictability, but the policies of the United States are diametrically opposed to all those goals, the ministry said.

The Russian side reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the START, as an instrument for international security and stability, it added.

The last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the two superpowers can be extended by a maximum of five years with the consent of the two countries. Russia and the United States extended the treaty by five years on February 3, 2021.