Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, stated that Moscow currently has no formal contact with Washington under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, a point highlighted by TASS. The comment draws attention to a pause in official dialogue between Moscow and Washington over the framework that governs arms control.
Lavrov further noted that there is no ongoing engagement with American counterparts within what has been described as the Strategic Assault Weapons Agreement. He did not outline any concrete prospects or timelines for future interaction with the United States within the New START framework.
Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a message to the Federal Assembly dated February 21, indicated that Russia would suspend participation in the START Treaty. He stressed that Moscow had not withdrawn from the treaty altogether. On February 28, Putin signed legislation titled On the suspension of Russia’s participation in START, formalizing the move.
Lavrov also argued that U.S. objections to Russia’s suspension of START carry little weight in his view. He conveyed a stance that Washington’s opposition does not determine Moscow’s approach to the treaty framework.
Previously, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified the reasons behind the decision to suspend participation in START, detailing the conditions and considerations that led to this step. The official explanations highlighted perceived imbalances within the treaty regime and the need to reassess strategic limits in light of evolving security dynamics. The topic remains a central point in bilateral negotiations and international discourse on arms control. Attribution: TASS