Bolton's resignation increases chances of timely agreement on prolonging New START - Kosachyov
MOSCOW. Sept 10 (Interfax) - The chances of timely agreements on renewing the New START treaty on strategic offensive arms have increased with the resignation of U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Russian Federation Council International Affairs Committee head Konstantin Kosachyov said.
"The hope for the New START's renewal is still alive, and will be as long as it is in full force and effect, that is, until February 2021. But the chances that necessary agreements could be achieved on time and without unnecessary distress at least won't get smaller. Perhaps, they will even grow," Kosachyov told Interfax on Tuesday.
That is how Kosachyov replied to a question as to whether there is any hope left for the New START to be extended, which was asked in connection with Bolton's resignation.
Bolton is a strong advocate a hard line foreign policy, as he "has always been against the agreements in the area of strategic stability and arms control, suggesting that they are excessively limiting the U.S., stopping it from demonstrating its dominance," he said.
"I don't know whether that's the reason why Trump fired Bolton but that is exactly why I surely won't be regretting his dismissal," Kosachyiov said.