US hits back at Russia’s violations of New START Treaty

The United States reaffirmed commitment to “full and mutual implementation” of the New START Treaty (Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms), signed with Russia in April 2010. “Consistent with that commitment, the United States has adopted lawful countermeasures in response to the Russian Federation’s ongoing violations of the New START Treaty,” the US Dept. of State said in a press release on Thursday.

“The Russian Federation’s purported suspension of the New START Treaty is legally invalid. As a result, Russia remains bound by its New START Treaty obligations, and is violating the Treaty by failing to fulfill many of those obligations,” according to the statement.

“US countermeasures are fully consistent with international law. “They are proportionate, reversible, and meet all other legal requirements. International law permits such measures in order to induce a state to return to compliance with its international obligations.

“The United States notified Russia of the countermeasures in advance, and conveyed the United States’ desire and readiness to reverse the countermeasures and fully implement the treaty if Russia returns to compliance.

“The United States remains ready to work constructively with Russia on resuming implementation of the New START Treaty,” it added.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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