Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov revealed that the agreement between Russia and the United States regarding the extension of the START III treaty was made on Moscow's terms.
According to Novosti News Agency, Ryabkov stated today that Russia welcomes the decision by US President Joe Biden's administration to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START III), calling it the correct decision made generally on Moscow's terms, which he considers beneficial for both sides and "the only right decision." He added that there is a significant margin of time to start and conduct in-depth bilateral negotiations on a full range of issues affecting strategic stability, ensuring reliable security for the country for a long time to come.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin tasked the Russian Foreign Ministry today with negotiating with the United States regarding the conclusion of an agreement to extend the START III treaty.
According to the Russian government statement, instructions were issued to accept and act on the proposal from the Russian government to sign an international agreement concerning the extension of the START III treaty between Russia and the United States aimed at measures to enhance the reduction of strategic offensive arms, which was established between the two parties in 2010.
It is worth noting that the START III treaty between Russia and the United States (the only treaty in this regard) entered into force on February 5, 2011, stipulating that each side must reduce its nuclear arsenals so that the total number of weapons does not exceed 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and heavy bombers over seven years and in the future, along with 1,550 warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers.
