Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is a bilateral treaty signed between the United States of America and Russia in agreement to reduce and limit strategic offensive arms. The treaty was signed in 2010 and took effect in February 2011. The agreement between Moscow and Washington calls for the gradual reduction of nuclear warheads held by USA and Russia within 10 years. The Treaty limits both sides on the number of delivery systems, stern verification regime and data exchanges.
On Friday, The United States (US) released a new statement on its nuclear policy review. The statement accused Russia of violating a series of commitments and arms control treaties. The US further accused Russia of refusing to further decrease its nuclear capabilities.
New START Treaty
The START Treaty’s central limits for Russia’s and America’s strategic nuclear arsenal take effect February 5, 2018. It marks a new level of the treaty as the two countries approach the end of the 10-year timeline.
Heather Nauert, State Department Spokeswoman, said that the US and the Russian Federation have implemented the treaty in regards to reducing their nuclear arsenal and limitation of strategic offensive arms for the past seven years. She added that August 2017 is when America had already fulfilled its commitments. She alleged Russia has always claimed it stands by its commitment as well as meeting their central limits. Spokeswoman Heather ascertained Russia’s declaration as a claim because the department has no proof until they exchange data on the matter. Russia too cannot determine US’s claims unless they exchange data during the upcoming data exchange.
Heather stated on Thursday that Washington had no reason to believe that Russia will have met its goals when they exchange data next month under the strategic nuclear arsenal terms. She hoped that each country will confirm each other’s compliance in good time after the data exchange.
US’s Difference with Russia
The US lays allegations against Russia that the country is in the process of modernizing its 2,000 nuclear tactical weapons. As these efforts are not monitored by the New START Treaty, America feels cheated by the move as modernizing is an improvement strategy.
The US strategic move to review its nuclear policy by declaring that it will update its arsenal was based on the same allegation that Russia was upgrading their nuclear weapons. Russia refuted the claims and warned that if the US moves ahead with their reviewed plan, it too will have to do so with the objective of protecting itself against any impending attacks from the USA.
