Russia gives US official note on withdrawal from key nuclear arms treaty

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price confirmed on Wednesday that Russia has sent an official note on its withdrawal from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).

Source: European Pravda

Details: "I can confirm there has been an exchange of diplomatic notes between Russia and the United States. I think it is fair to say that what we have learned from that diplomatic note didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know from the public statements that have emanated from Moscow," Price said during a State Department press briefing.

"Our position remains the same: Russia’s decision to unilaterally suspend its participation in the START is unfortunate, but more so it is irresponsible. It is the responsible thing to do for nuclear powers to engage in arms control, to engage in other tools of strategic stability," he added.

The State Department spokesperson criticised Moscow’s "willingness to promote instability" and its "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric", which, he said, "endanger every nation on this planet".

"We are working to preserve the treaty. We continue to urge Moscow to resume full compliance with the treaty," Price stressed.

Background: On Tuesday, 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) – the last remaining agreement to limit the nuclear arsenal of both Russia and the United States. 

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