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The United States is willing to extend the Offensive Weapons Reduction Treaty (START III), subject to a temporary freeze on the size of nuclear arsenals. Washington reached an agreement of “principles” on strategic stability with Russia at the highest level.
This was stated by the Special Representative of the President of the United States for Arms Control, Marshall Billingsley, France24 reports citing AFP.
“In fact, we are willing to extend the new START treaty for a certain period of time, provided that they (RF, – ed.), In turn, agree to a limitation – freezing – of their nuclear arsenal. We believe that there is an agreement in principle on high levels from our two governments, “he said.
Billingsley said Russia still needs to finalize the “gentlemen’s agreement” and be given the authority to clarify the details.
“We are ready to conclude this agreement. In fact, we can conclude it tomorrow. But Moscow will also have to show political will to do so,” he said.
Billingsley said the United States continues to insist on the participation of China, whose nuclear program is growing rapidly but still represents only a small fraction of Russia and the United States’ arsenals.
Let us remember that the US administration is ready to put nuclear weapons in combat to pressure Russia in negotiations to reach new agreements on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons.
Furthermore, RBC-Ukraine previously wrote that the Special Representative of the President of the United States for Arms Control, Marshall Billingsley, said that the American side had offered to Russia to prepare a memorandum on arms that does not require ratification.
In addition, the United States insists on involving China in negotiations on nuclear weapons control, but Beijing has so far rejected this possibility.
Note that the Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction Treaty (START III) between the United States and Russia entered into force in February 2011. Its action is planned for a period of ten years, until February 2021. After that, the parties must reach an agreement or renew existing agreements, or conclude new ones.
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