Russia has announced it will continue to adhere to limits on its nuclear arsenal outlined in the now-expired New START treaty, provided the United States also respects these caps.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addressed parliament on Wednesday, emphasizing that Moscow is not in a rush to develop or deploy additional nuclear weapons:
We proceed from the fact that this moratorium, which was announced by our president, remains in effect, but only while the United States does not exceed the outlined limits.
The New START agreement, which restricted both the U.S. and Russia to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each, expired earlier this month. Russian president Vladimir Putin had offered a one-year extension on the deal, but the U.S. did not respond.
Both nations have expressed interest in negotiating a new arms control agreement. Washington has suggested including China in future discussions, citing its growing nuclear capabilities. Moscow has countered that if Beijing participates, so too should the United States’ nuclear allies, Britain and France.
