Russia claims to have met requirements of the new START Treaty

The economic tussle between the West, headed by the United States against Russia is developing steadily. The Russian Foreign Ministry says through a statement that Russia has complied to these demands.

BACKGROUND

The first START Treaty, or the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was a bilateral treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. The treaty was signed on 31 July 1991 and entered into force on 5 December 1994.

Currently in its third edition, the "New START" Treaty will expire in 2021 with the option to push the expiry to 2026 if the signatories deem it suitable.

ARTICLE II STIPULATIONS

According to Article II of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, Russia and the United States were to meet the following aggregate limits on strategic arms by February 5, 2018:

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Among the key agreed points in the agreement are:

• 700 deployed ballistic missiles (ICBMs), deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments
• 1,550 nuclear warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments
• 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments.

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COMPLIANCE

Russia has said that they have fully complied with their commitment to reduce their strategic offensive weapons.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry reports that as of February 5, 2018, Russia's aggregate strength are as below:

• 527 deployed ballistic missiles (ICBMs), deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments
• 1,444 nuclear warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments
• 779 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments.

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Russia claimed that they will offer the United States an official notification confirming the above strategic figures.

Through a statement, Russia says they have conformed to their adherence to the New START Treaty.