Respect N-limits under New Start Treaty, US tells Russia

February 5, 2018 marks the date that the treaty’s central limits on each country’s strategic nuclear arsenal take effect

US State Department

washington — The United States, which unveiled a new aggressive nuclear strategy, has met the limits set on its arsenal under the New Start Treaty, which entered a new phase on Monday, and reminded Russia to uphold its commitments.

The strategic arms reduction treaty was signed by Washington and Moscow in 2010, and took effect in February 2011.

It calls for the gradual reduction over 10 years of the number of nuclear warheads held by both sides, limits on the number of delivery systems, a strict verification regime and data exchanges.

“The United States of America and the Russian Federation have implemented the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New Start Treaty) for seven years,” the State Department said in a statement.

“February 5, 2018 marks the date that the treaty’s central limits on each country’s strategic nuclear arsenal take effect.” Washington said it had already fulfilled its commitments by August 2017, said the statement issued by department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.

Russia has “repeatedly stated its commitment” to the treaty, including meeting the central limits, and we expect our upcoming data exchange under the treaty to reaffirm that commitment.”

Nauert said that Washington had “no reason to believe” that Russia would not meet its goals.

“Within the next month or so, both countries will exchange their data under the strategic nuclear arsenals, as we have done bilaterally under the treaty’s terms for the last seven years,” she said. “We hope each country will confirm the com- pliance of the other as soon as possible after this data exchange.”

Russia said for its part Monday it was committed to the treaty and would provide Washington with data on its strategic nuclear arsenals in “the near future.” The Russian foreign ministry said Moscow accepted Washington’s assurances that the United States had met the limits set on its arsenal under the treaty. Yet the statement said that the US reached the target limits not only due to cutting the amount of weapons but also thanks to the refurbishment of launchers of submarine launched ballistic missiles, among other weapons. “Russia confirms its commitment to the Start treaty,” the foreign ministry said.

“At the same time Russia strongly calls on the US to continue a constructive search for mutually acceptable solutions in relation to problems related to the refurbishment” of strategic nuclear weapons. —