EU urges Russia to return to nuclear agreement

EU External Action published a new statement.

Such an agreement increases predictability and mutual confidence amongst the two largest nuclear weapon States – the USA and the Russian Federation.

It is noted that suspension of the Treaty or its expiration without a proper follow-on agreement "would undermine the European security architecture and substantially sets back arms control efforts, which is not in the interest of any of the States parties to New START, nor of any other country."

"The EU calls on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the Treaty by facilitating New START inspections on Russian territory, and participating in the Treaty’s implementation body, the Bilateral Consultative Commission within the treaty-established timeframe," the statement reads.

• On February 21, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had decided to suspend its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. He also ordered the Russian military to prepare for nuclear weapons testing. 

• The NATO Secretary General said that the Alliance was disappointed by Russia's statement and called on it to reconsider its decision.

• The representatives of the G7 member states announced in a joint statement that they are not afraid of the Russian dictator's nuclear threats and will continue to support Ukraine.

• The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also reacted and stated that the decision of the Russian Federation to suspend its participation in the treaty with the United States on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive weapons is another provocative step by the aggressor state.