Medvedev says there are no nuclear treaties between Russia and the US for the first time since 1972
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that for the first time since 1972, Russia and the United States do not have any treaty limiting strategic nuclear forces. He wrote about this on social media.
According to Medvedev, all previous agreements between the two states SALT-1, SALT-2, START-1, START-2, SORT and New START - are a thing of the past.
A symbolic reference to Game of Thrones«
The Russian politician added an image from the popular TV series to his message «Game of Thrones» with the inscription Winter is coming («Winter is coming»).
In the plot of the series, this phrase symbolised the approach of difficult and dangerous times, which creates an additional political connotation of the statement.
What the absence of arms control treaties means
For decades, agreements between Moscow and Washington have limited the number of strategic nuclear warheads and carriers and provided for mutual verification mechanisms.
Analysts believe that the termination of such agreements is likely:
Reduces the level of predictability in nuclear safety
increases the risk of a new arms race
complicates international negotiations on strategic stability
At the same time, the official positions of the parties on the possible restoration of the arms control regime remain different.
Context.
The last treaty in force between the US and Russia was New START, which limited strategic offensive arms and provided for inspections. The issue of its further validity has repeatedly been the subject of diplomatic disputes.
Against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and the deterioration of relations between Moscow and the West, nuclear security is once again at the centre of international politics.
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