The Kremlin announced that the New START treaty - the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between Russia and the United States - will cease to be in force at the end of Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Speaking to reporters, Peskov confirmed the treaty's termination, saying: "Today the day will end, and it (the treaty) will cease to have any effect." His statement made clear that, in Moscow's view, the pact will no longer apply once the day concludes.
New START had placed limits on each country's missiles, launchers and strategic warheads. Peskov noted that arms control specialists had earlier expected the accord to run out at the end of Wednesday, but the Kremlin's public position identifies Thursday as its expiration point.
According to Peskov, Russia proposed a voluntary one-year extension to allow additional time for talks on a successor treaty. He said the United States did not formally reply to that offer. On the lack of a U.S. response, Peskov commented: "The agreement is coming to an end. We view this negatively and express our regret."
The spokesman added that the subject had been raised in a telephone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, indicating the issue was discussed at a high diplomatic level.
Even with the treaty no longer in effect, Peskov emphasized that Russia would uphold what he described as a measured posture on nuclear matters. He said Moscow would preserve a "responsible and attentive approach to the issue of strategic stability in the field of nuclear weapons" while acting in accordance with its national interests.
The Kremlin's comments outline Moscow's position as the New START framework ends, and confirm that Russia has publicly registered both its regret at the treaty's lapse and its stated intent to remain circumspect on strategic nuclear stability.
Key details
- The Kremlin says New START will cease to have effect at the end of Thursday.
- Russia proposed a voluntary one-year extension but, per Peskov, the United States never formally responded.
- Moscow asserts it will maintain a "responsible and attentive" approach to strategic nuclear stability while guided by national interests.