Russian Foreign Minister Says 'High Time' For Talks With US On Prolonging New START

Now is the appropriate time to begin Russia-US negotiations on the prolongation of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that expires in 2021, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th August, 2018) Now is the appropriate time to begin Russia-US negotiations on the prolongation of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that expires in 2021, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed the country's 2019 defense budget. The bill, in particular, stipulated that the United States should discuss with Moscow whether Russia's Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile and other new conventional weapons fell under the New START.

"I have heard statements from many experts and representatives of the US administration suggesting that [the United States] is interested in prolonging the New START. In this regard, it is, of course, high time to begin the negotiations, something which has [previously] been stated by [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin," Lavrov said in response to a reporter's question about Moscow's position with regard to the US budget questioning whether or not the Russian arms conformed with the treaty.

The Russian foreign minister added that during the recent Russia-US summit in Helsinki, the Russian side had confirmed its willingness to resume a full-fledged dialogue on issues relating to strategic stability.

"Speaking about what [Washington] meant [by its statements on the future of the New START], it is difficult for me to say. It is futile now to try to predict what will happen in Washington in the coming days, even hours," Lavrov stressed.

The New START treaty, signed in 2010 and effectuated on February 5, 2011, requires Russia and the United States to, within seven years, reduce the number of deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550; cut deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers capable of carrying nuclear armament to 700; and slash the number of ballistic missile launchers and heavy bombers to 800. The presidents of both countries can extend the accord for another five years if they choose.