Viability of Russia's New START Treaty proposal will only be ensured if U.S. shows reciprocity - Deputy FM Ryabkov
MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Russia should be convinced that the current U.S. administration's rejection of a hostile anti-Russian course is steady in order to avoid a strategic arms race and maintain an acceptable level of predictability in this area, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday.
During his speech at a meeting as part of the webinars "History and Modernity of Russian Nuclear Policy and Public Diplomacy in the Nuclear Field", which is organized by the Center for Energy and Security with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund, Ryabkov recalled the initiative put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START Treaty).
"The initiative stipulates that after the expiration of the Agreement in February 2026, both sides could continue to adhere to the central quantitative limitations on the New START Treaty for at least one year. This step is aimed at preventing a strategic arms race, maintaining an acceptable level of predictability and restraint in this area, as well as contributing to the goals of the [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] NPT," Ryabkov said.
"But the viability of the Russian initiative will be ensured only if reciprocity is shown by the American side, which should not take steps that undermine the existing balance of deterrence capabilities. In general, we hope that we should be convinced that Washington's rejection of the extremely hostile anti-Russian course of the previous U.S. administration is steady and that it is willing to work to eliminate the root causes of the current crisis in Russia-West relations and fundamental security differences."
"An undesirable alternative to the step proposed by Russia would be the emergence of a total vacuum in terms of restrictions on nuclear capabilities, increased tension and a growing nuclear threat. But we can certainly handle such an alternative, if it arises. And our safety will be guaranteed in any case," Ryabkov said.
