Start Agreement Russia

START agreement, also known as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, was a bilateral treaty signed in 1991 between the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty aimed to reduce and limit the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems possessed by both nations. Since then, there have been several iterations of the treaty, with the most recent – New START – being signed in 2010 between the United States and Russia.

The New START agreement, which is set to expire on February 5th, 2021, limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550, the number of deployed and non-deployed intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, submarine-launched ballistic missile launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments to 800, and the aggregate limit of deployed and non-deployed strategic nuclear weapons to 700.

The agreement has been a key pillar of arms control between the United States and Russia since the Cold War. However, in recent years, relations between the two countries have deteriorated, with both sides accusing each other of violating the treaty.

Russia has repeatedly called for an extension of the New START agreement, but negotiations have stalled due to disagreements over verification measures and the inclusion of new weapons systems. The United States, under the Trump administration, had initially indicated that it would not extend the treaty, citing concerns over Russia`s compliance with the agreement and the need for more comprehensive arms control.

However, with the incoming Biden administration, there is renewed hope for the extension of the treaty. The Biden administration has indicated that it would seek to extend New START while also exploring the possibility of negotiating a follow-on agreement that includes more weapons systems and addresses emerging security challenges, such as cyber and space threats.

The fate of the New START agreement and arms control between the United States and Russia remains uncertain. However, the extension of the treaty would be a vital step towards preventing a new arms race and reducing the risk of nuclear conflict. As such, it is imperative that both sides engage in constructive negotiations and find a mutually acceptable solution.