NATO calls on Russia to fulfil commitments under new nuclear weapons treaty

NATO published the statement on its official website.

"We call on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty by facilitating New START inspections on Russian territory, and by returning to participation in the Treaty’s implementation body, the BCC," NATO said.

Russia has decided to withdraw its nuclear facilities from US inspection activities and rejected a US request to hold a meeting to resolve the problems that have arisen.

“NATO Allies continue to view effective arms control as an essential contribution to our security objectives. The New START Treaty remains in the national security interest of all states, including NATO Allies,” the statement read.

NATO called on Russia to comply with the treaty, resume inspections on its territory and return to consultations within the framework of the bilateral commission sessions.

• On January 15, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he believed China and other countries had sent Russia a signal "that nuclear weapons should not be used." 

• On January 22, Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin threatened NATO countries with a "global catastrophe" over the supply of offensive weapons to Ukraine.