Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday that his country is ready to adhere to the terms of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) for another full year, after it expires next February. During a meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council, Putin added that Russia would assess the situation and take appropriate measures in accordance with the actions of the US side after a year.
According to Qatar News Agency, he indicated that responding to the Russian initiative could become a basis for launching a bilateral strategic dialogue to maintain strategic security. The Russian President noted that strategic stability in the world continues to deteriorate, stressing that his country is capable of responding to any threats.
He stressed that his country seeks to maintain the status quo established by the treaty, asserting that a complete abandonment of the treaty would be a mistake that would negatively impact nuclear non-proliferation. The treaty, which limits the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles and certain other missiles and nuclear warheads of Russia and the United States, also known as START-3, entered into force on February 5, 2011.