There is no requirement to pause or complicate dialogue between the United States and Russia when it comes to arms control negotiations. This stance was conveyed by Mikhail Ulyanov, the permanent representative of the Russian Federation to international organizations in Vienna, in an interview reported by RIA News. He stressed that existing channels should remain open and that both sides can resume discussions without binding preconditions. Ulyanov pointed out that US policy appears to aim at widening tensions with Russia, a context that makes constructive engagement all the more essential rather than a barrier to dialogue.
According to him, it would be entirely unrealistic to imagine a scenario where Russian authorities would accept American experts for on site inspections of Russia’s nuclear facilities under current conditions. The diplomatic climate, he argued, would have to change significantly before any inspection framework could be credibly considered. This position reflects a broader concern about maintaining trust and reciprocity in verification measures amid ongoing geopolitical strains.
Ulyanov also highlighted uncertainty about the shape of any new arms control agreement once the New START treaty expires in 2026. He noted that the content and direction of a successor agreement will hinge on developments in the international arena and shifts within the military-political landscape. The implication is that strategic planning on both sides must remain flexible, responsive to rising concerns and shifting alliances rather than locked into a fixed blueprint from the outset.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in November, stated that Moscow would not reengage in procedures envisaged by the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty as long as the United States continues to aid Ukraine by supplying long-range weapons. This stance underscores how contemporary security commitments and regional dynamics intersect with formal arms control debates, effectively tethering dialogue to broader security assurances and confirmable concessions from all parties involved. The message is clear: strategic choices tied to Ukraine policy have direct consequences for START related negotiations.
Earlier remarks from Russian officials indicated concerns about moves by the United States to reinforce its defense partnership with North Korea. Those steps are viewed as shifting the strategic balance and complicating any potential resumption of traditional arms control frameworks. The broader takeaway is that Washington’s broader security posture, including alliances and force posture in the region, plays a pivotal role in shaping Russia’s willingness to re-enter scale- back or overhaul verification regimes. Attribution: source RIA News.