Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s response ‘gives reason to optimism’ about Washington’s possibility to support the initiative
The greeted on Monday (6) the comments of the president of, about the proposal of the Russian leader to extend the Nuclear Weapon Control Treaty for a New Start, which he expires in February. Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s response “gives reasons for optimism” about Washington’s possibility to support the initiative.
Putin defended the extension of the agreement, signed in 2010 by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, arguing that the end of the treaty would be “destabilizing” and could stimulate nuclear proliferation. The Russian President suggested that the additional period will serve to negotiate a new comprehensive pact, including tactical weapons and new strategic systems developed by Moscow.
“Work continues and will bring results,” Putin said during an international forum. Moscow also reiterated that it is up to the United States to convince China to participate in future conversations – something Beijing has already rejected – and argued that the United Kingdom and France, both members of NATO, are also included in a possible successor treaty.
Despite the conciliatory tone, Putin recognized internal resistance in the US to New Start renewal. “If they don’t need it, we don’t need it either. We are confident in our nuclear shield,” he said. The New Start limits each country to 1,550 nuclear warheads and 700 missiles and strategic bombers. Experts warn that non -renewal of the agreement may rekindle a arms race among the two largest nuclear powers on the planet.
*With information from Estadão Content
