Biden administration proposes to extend the New START treaty – Russia welcomes

Washington/Moscow:- The new Biden administration in the United States has proposed an extension of five years to the New Start Treaty, limiting the number of nuclear weapons held by the United States and Russia. Russia has welcomed the proposal, and the Russian spokesman reacted that Russia was ready for the extension. The period of this treaty, signed in 2010, is ending in the next month. Former US President Donald Trump had rejected the possibility of extension of the treaty or a new agreement.

The United States wants to extend the New Start Treaty by five years as per the treaty provisions. President Joe Biden has presented a stand that this treaty is vital from US security point of view. Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, said that although the United States will cooperate with Russia to safeguard US interests, it will oppose the reckless and aggressive Russian actions. John Kirby, the spokesman of the US defence department, confirmed the view.

Kirby clarified that it is essential from the US national security point of view that the New Start Treaty continues in its current form. The defence department spokesman said that if the treaty is not extended, we will lose the opportunity to keep an eye on the Russian nuclear weapons. The former US and Russian presidents, Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, had signed the New Start Treaty in April 2010. As per the New Start Treaty, both the countries cannot deploy more than 1,550 nuclear weapons. At the same time, there is also a provision to inspect each other’s nuclear bases.

Former US President had taken an adamant stand that China also should be included in the New Start Treaty. But China had dismissed the US demand in clear words. China refused to participate in the treaty saying that the United States and Russia have nuclear weapons in multiples of what China has.