Russia Says It Will Adhere to Nuclear Treaty Rules , Despite Suspending Deal With US.
On Feb. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow is suspending its participation in the New START Treaty.
But Reuters reports that on Feb. 22, Major-General Yevgeny Ilyin, a top
Russian defense ministry official, .
said Russia will continue to honor agreed limits on nuclear weapons and tell the U.S. about any deployment changes.
Doing so will help "to prevent false
alarms, which is important for
maintaining strategic stability," he said.
While Putin's announcement of
suspended participation will likely not
have much of an immediate impact.
it may point to future trouble
regarding the treaty.
According to security analysts, if the U.S. and Russia fail to replace or renew the agreement when it expires in 2026, a new arms race could unfold.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked whether Russia will return to the agreement.
Everything will depend on the position of the West... When there's a willingness to take into account our concerns, then the situation will change, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, via Reuters.
Deputy Foreign Minister
Sergei Ryabkov also issued a statement.
We will, of course, be closely monitoring the further actions of the United States and its allies, including with a view to taking further countermeasures, if necessary, Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister, via Reuters