Russia sets conditions for compliance with the restrictions of the New START nuclear treaty
In a new development reflecting the ongoing tensions between the superpowers, Russia announced on Wednesday its official position on restrictions imposed on its nuclear arsenal, affirming that it will continue to respect the established limits on warheads and delivery systems, but on the crucial condition that the United States does the same. This announcement comes at a time of growing global concern about the future of global strategic security.
The condition of reciprocity and the Russian position
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that his country remains committed to its self-imposed "freeze" on increasing the size of its nuclear arsenal. Lavrov clarified that this Russian commitment "remains in effect," while emphasizing that its continuation is entirely contingent upon the United States not exceeding the limits stipulated in previous agreements. These statements reflect Moscow's desire to maintain a strategic deterrent balance without being drawn into an open arms race, unless forced to do so by American actions.
NATO calls for restraint and responsibility
On the other hand, in a swift reaction to developments concerning the expiration or suspension of the New START treaty mechanisms, NATO called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint. AFP quoted a NATO official as saying, "Restraint and responsibility in the nuclear field are essential for global security." The alliance believes that the lack of transparency and binding constraints could lead to disastrous miscalculations, especially given the current geopolitical tensions in Europe.
The New START Treaty: The Last Bastion of Arms Control
To understand the depth of this event, one must look at the historical background of the New START Treaty. This treaty was signed in 2010 in Prague by then-Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, and entered into force in 2011. The treaty aimed to reduce the deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 for each country, and to limit the number of bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This treaty is the last remaining pillar of nuclear arms control between the world's two largest nuclear powers, which together possess nearly 90% of the global nuclear arsenal. Russia's earlier suspension of its participation in the treaty was a strong political message, but its recent announcement of voluntary adherence to the numerical limits suggests a desire not to completely dismantle the principle.
Global risks and the collapse of the security system
This event is of paramount importance both regionally and internationally. With the collapse of previous treaties such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the world faces a legal vacuum in the field of arms control. International experts fear that the absence of binding restrictions and mutual verification mechanisms will lead to a new arms race, with each country striving to develop faster and more lethal weapons to ensure its strategic superiority, thus reviving the atmosphere of the Cold War but with far more dangerous technologies.
