The world woke up to the recent headlines of Russia halting the United States’ on-site inspections under the New START Treaty. This abrupt decision came due to the Western-imposed sanctions coupled with concerns around novel coronavirus infections. What is the reason behind this sudden move, and how does it figure into the global arms reduction treaties? In the following lines, we explore the topic in detail.
Understanding the New START Treaty
On February 5, 2011, the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) came into effect. It marked a significant checkpoint in the process of verifiably reducing the U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals. The treaty limits both sides to 700 strategic launchers and 1,550 operational warheads.
Initially intended to last for ten years, until 2021, the treaty received an extension for five more years, keeping its directives valid until 2026. The unique aspect of this treaty is that it is the last active arms reduction pact between Russia and the United States, capping their ability to deploy nuclear warheads at 1,550.
A Look at the History of USA-Russia Treaties
The history of arms control treaties between the United States and Russia traces back to 1969, starting with the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks-1 (SALT). Following this, several other agreements were signed, each aiming to enforce restrictions and maintain control over the development of destructive military technology.
In 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-1 (START) called for the destruction of excess delivery vehicles, verified through on-site inspections, information exchange, and satellite usage. Two years later, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-2 aimed to reduce deployed strategic arsenals to 3,000-3,500 warheads. It also prohibited the deployment of destabilizing multiple-warhead land-based missiles.
2004 saw the signing of the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), mandating both countries to reduce their strategic arsenals to between 1,700 and 2,200 warheads. The most recent agreement, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), signed in 2010, reinforced legal boundaries, limiting each side to 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads deployed on 700 strategic delivery systems (ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers). This treaty also capped deployed and non-deployed launchers at 800.
Reasons Behind Russia’s Suspension of Inspection
The reasons cited by Russia for suspending the inspection were two-fold – Western sanctions and COVID-19 concerns. Sanctions imposed by the West have resulted in restricted access to American soil, including closed airspace for Russian planes and stringent visa regulations. The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S has added to these difficulties. As a result, conducting effective on-site inspections under the treaty becomes increasingly complicated, leading to the suspension.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024