The recent news wave has centered around Russia’s approval for the extension of the New START treaty, marking a crucial point in USA-Russia relations. This treaty signifies the last remaining nuclear arm control agreement between Russia and the USA set to expire in February 2021.
Details on Russian Parliament’s Approval
The Russian Parliament, also known as the Kremlin, has ratified the extension of the New START treaty for another five years. This development follows a recent telephonic exchange between the newly elected President of the USA and the President of Russia.
Interestingly, the Russian President appraised the decision to extend the treaty during the World Economic Forum’s virtual meeting. He described it as a positive shift but also expressed concern over escalating global rivalries and the potential threat of new conflicts.
However, the pact’s implementation does not necessitate congressional approval in the USA. In contrast, Russian lawmakers must approve the move, and the President of Russia needs to authenticate the related Bill into law.
New START Treaty: Aims and Objectives
The New START Treaty is an agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation to further limit and reduce strategic offensive arms. The term ‘strategic offensive arms’ refers to nuclear warheads equipped by Strategic Nuclear Delivery Vehicles (SNDVs). SNDVs encompass Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles with a range exceeding 5,500 kilometers, strategic bombers, warships, including strategic submarines, and cruise missiles, both air and sea-launched.
Enforced on February 5, 2011, the New START Treaty has replaced the outdated START I Treaty from 1991, which expired in December 2009. Additionally, the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) was succeeded when the New START came into action.
The historic START Framework of 1991, implemented at the end of the Cold War, limited both sides to 1,600 strategic delivery vehicles and 6,000 warheads. Conversely, the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) from May 2002, also known as the Moscow Treaty, required the United States and Russia to limit their deployed strategic nuclear forces to 1,700-2,200 warheads each.
Impact on Strategic Nuclear Arsenals
The New START Treaty continues the process of verifiably reducing the USA and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals. It does this by limiting both parties to 700 strategic launchers and 1,550 operational warheads.
Although the treaty was set to lapse in February 2021, it will now be extended for five more years following approval from both the USA and Russia.
The Way Forward
Russia’s decision to extend the treaty is seen as a positive development, especially following the suspension of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Treaty (INF Treaty) in 2019 and the recent withdrawal of the USA and Russia from the Open Skies Treaty.
The extension of the New START Treaty could be considered a glimmer of hope in the strained USA-Russian relationship. This juncture may provide an opportunity for both nations to negotiate comprehensively on future control over nuclear missile weapons.
