Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has commented on the abrupt cancellation of the commission meeting related to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, commonly known as START. He said the decision was influenced by the ongoing Ukraine conflict and what Moscow sees as a lack of real willingness from the United States to address the full scope of the issue. The implication is that Moscow’s priorities did not align with the line of discussion the United States initially planned to pursue.
Ryabkov noted that Washington had signaled an intention to focus the upcoming meeting solely on resuming inspections under the treaty. In Moscow’s view, however, there were other critical aspects that deserved attention, and these were not given adequate weight in the U.S. planning. He emphasized that Russia has repeatedly explained the core concerns it raises, including matters related to set-off within the treaty’s framework. This refers to how certain obligations might offset others, a point Moscow says requires careful consideration beyond simply restarting verification activities.
According to Ryabkov, the broader context for the stalled talks includes a spectrum of priorities that, in Moscow’s assessment, have not encouraged substantive movement from Washington. The Russian position stresses that without addressing the broader set of treaty provisions, the resumption of inspections alone would not satisfy Moscow’s strategic goals or ensure a meaningful long-term verification regime.
The official also indicated that Russia plans to propose new dates for the next New START Commission meeting in the near future. This step aims to re-engage both sides in structured discussions and to move the process forward despite the recent setback. The intention is to create a clear path for renewed dialogue and to align expectations for what the talks could achieve in the coming months.
On the other side of the Atlantic, U.S. officials offered a contrasting assessment. The United States State Department stated that Washington was prepared to hold the previously postponed commission meeting at the earliest opportunity. This stance reflects a willingness to resume dialogue promptly and signals that Washington remains committed to maintaining a working arms control framework with Russia. It also highlights the continuing divisions over priorities and the pace at which potential concessions or changes might be pursued within the treaty’s architecture.
Both sides acknowledge the importance of START as a foundational element of strategic stability and arms control. The current divergence underscores the complexity of reconciling verification mechanisms with broader political and security concerns that affect how the treaty is interpreted and implemented. Observers note that future talks will likely focus not only on the mechanics of inspections but also on the broader interpretive questions that shape the obligations and potential amendments under the START framework. In the meantime, analysts expect that the parties will work on establishing a schedule that accommodates the priorities of both sides while preserving the overall integrity of the treaty and its verification regime. As discussions resume, the international community will be watching closely to assess whether new dates can be arranged, and whether both Moscow and Washington can find common ground on the issues that extend beyond inspections alone.