The United States is ready to consider other ways to enhance strategic stability with Russia, besides the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START, START III). This was announced on Tuesday, February 16, said by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
He noted that there are disagreements between the states, however, according to the head of American diplomacy, Washington and Moscow are able to cooperate in areas of mutual interest.
“We were able to very quickly extend the START Treaty for five years, because it was in our interests <...>. And we will consider other ways to enhance strategic stability with Russia, even though we make it clear that the actions they take are a challenge to our interests and values. However, we must be able to work on two fronts, ”Blinken said in an interview with NPR radio.
On February 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed US leader Joseph Biden’s promise to extend the START Treaty.
In late January, Putin and Biden held their first telephone conversation, during which they discussed, in particular, the extension of the Treaty on the Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms. After that, the Russian leader submitted to the State Duma a bill on the ratification of the document.
Then the State Duma and the Federation Council ratified the agreement, and after that Putin signed the law ratifying the agreement on the extension of the START Treaty.
On February 3, the agreement entered into force. The agreement in its current form without any changes or additions will be valid until February 5, 2026.