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The new START Treaty on the limitation of strategic nuclear weapons expires on February 5, 2021. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov said the chances of saving the treaty were slim. After the US election in November, it will be too late to negotiate an extension, Russia said in an interview with The National Interest.
Russia has repeatedly warned of an uncontrolled nuclear arms race unless the treaty is extended. The United States has said it is ready to negotiate a treaty, but has so far insisted that China be part of the new treaty.
The new START agreement provides for the reduction of Russian and US nuclear arsenals to 800 bearing systems and 1,550 nuclear cartridges on each side. Another major disarmament treaty between the two countries, the Medium-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), was completed last summer.
Russia has yet to prepare its final position on the Open Skies Agreement, Putin said in a meeting with members of the Security Council. United States President Donald Trump called for the withdrawal of the agreement, arguing that Moscow was no longer fulfilling its conventional obligations. Therefore, the United States is no longer bound by it.
The Open Skies Agreement allows 34 signatories to conduct reconnaissance flights in associated airspace several times a year. The contract was concluded in 1992 and entered into force in 2002. Exploratory flights are seen primarily as a confidence measure. To date, more than 1,500 have been held.
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