North Atlantic Council released a statement on the New START Treaty, urging Russia to abide by the agreed terms and comply with the treaty.
In a statement released by the NATO Council, the NATO Allies agree that:
The New START Treaty contributes to international stability by constraining Russian and U.S. strategic nuclear forces. Therefore, we note with concern that Russia has failed to comply with legally-binding obligations under the New START Treaty.
Russia’s refusal to convene a session of the Bilateral Consultative Commission (BCC) within the treaty-established timeframe, and to facilitate U.S. inspection activities on its territory since August 2022 prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the Treaty and undermines the United States’ ability to adequately verify Russian compliance with the Treaty’s central limits. The United States is in compliance with the New START Treaty.
NATO Allies continue to view effective arms control as an essential contribution to our security objectives. The New START Treaty remains in the national security interest of all states, including NATO Allies. NATO Allies welcomed the February 2021 agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation to extend the New START Treaty for five years. However, Russia’s noncompliance undermines the viability of the New START Treaty.
The Allies also urged Russia to fulfill its obligations under the Treaty by facilitating New START inspections on Russian territory, and by returning to participation in the Treaty’s implementation body, the BCC.
The United States and Russia agreed to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) until February 4, 2026. The treaty limits the stockpiles of the world’s two largest nuclear powers. The New START treaty aims to put limits on the weapons of two countries that account for 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons stockpile. The treaty imposes limits on all the American and Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons.
