Cairo, Egypt – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that the time has come to resume dialogue between Russia and the United States regarding the future of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). He pointed out that the treaty is essentially a bilateral agreement between Moscow and Washington. However, it cannot remain isolated from the nuclear arsenals of other countries such as the United Kingdom and France. These two countries are an integral part of the global security equation.
Dual frame
Peskov said, in statements reported by the Russian news agency TASS, that any future negotiations must proceed from a bilateral framework. However, he stressed that ignoring British and French nuclear capabilities will not be a permanent option. He explained that these arsenals have become part of the major problem related to strategic stability in Europe and the world.
New Start
These statements come amid the complexities of the international situation, especially after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in February 2023 the suspension of his country’s participation in New START. This occurred without Moscow formally withdrawing from the agreement. The treaty, signed in 2010, placed strict limits on the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles. It also imposed restrictions on other nuclear missiles and strategic warheads for both countries.
For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that his country saw no point in resuming dialogue with Washington before NATO’s position on the arsenals of the other nuclear powers within the alliance became clear. He was referring to Britain and France. He added that negotiations would be meaningless unless these capabilities were factored into the calculations, as they are a fundamental element of the military balance.
Timing
Observers believe that Moscow’s raising of this issue at this time carries multiple messages. The first is to pressure the West to reconsider its approach to nuclear deterrence. The second is to emphasize that Russia will not enter into any security settlement unless it includes all active parties. The reference to London and Paris reflects the Kremlin’s desire to internationalize the debate. It also demonstrates that it is not limited to the traditional bilateral relationship with Washington. It is worth noting that the New START Treaty is one of the last pillars of nuclear arms control between the two superpowers, especially after the collapse of other treaties, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (IRNF), in 2019. This raises fears of a new arms race that threatens international security and stability.
