Russia, US to hold first talks under nuclear treaty since Ukraine war, breaking the deadlock that may have enduring results for a better and conducive world order.
The United States and Russia are expected to join a historic talk while resuming inspections under the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty that have been hindered owing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday, Nov 8.
Speaking at a daily press briefing, Price expressed his optimism while stating that the bilateral consultative commission (BCC), the mechanism for implementation of the last remaining arms control agreement between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, will meet “shortly.”
Russia which attracted travel restrictions by the US and its West allies in August 2022 suspended cooperation, blaming travel restrictions imposed by Washington and its allies over Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but said it was still committed to complying with the provisions of the treaty.
Principle of parity and equality should be restored between Moscow and Washington
Moscow suspended the inspection regime under the treaty in August, citing Western sanctions that have prevented Russian inspectors from doing their work in the US, thus putting Washington at an unfair advantage. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the inspections would continue once the principle of parity and equality is restored. Inspections had previously been disrupted by lockdowns in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
New START is the last nuclear arms control agreement
The New START is the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia, set to expire in 2026 unless renewed.
Although Price added that their categorical measures were imposed as a result of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine and that does not prevent Russian inspectors from conducting New START Treaty inspections in the United States. He hoped that the renewed initiatives of the BCC will allow them to continue with those inspections,” New START, which took effect in 2011, caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the United States and Russia can deploy, and the deployment of land and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them.
The BCC, which was supposed to meet twice a year, last met in October 2021, shortly before Russia began moving forces to its border with Ukraine.
Venue and date yet to be announced officially
Price sounded optimistic while announcing “a constructive session,” but did not specify the date or location for the meeting.
A person privy to the developments who spoke on condition of anonymity said the BCC meetings were expected to be held in Cairo.
The dialogue between the United States and Russia can accomplish desired results even under the present turbulent situations; an official in BCC has confided.
The two warring parties should focus on risk reduction in their forthcoming conversations, and with positive intentions and the ability of the two countries to pass messages back and forth and to engage in dialogue does not – atrophy.
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Russian newspaper Kommersant stated that the resumed talks may take place somewhere in the Middle East, adding that Moscow no longer saw Switzerland, the traditional venue, as sufficiently neutral after it imposed sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. The venue of Cairo seems to be a neutral venue for both.
Meanwhile, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan has initiated confidential talks with senior Russian officials aimed at lowering the risk of a broader war over Ukraine, a source familiar with the conversations said on Monday.
The entire globe looks forward for sincere initiatives from the US and Russia that may carry positive results for the world to grow and prosper after the horrific pandemic Covid-19 and the latest Ukraine invasion.
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