LOC02:34
23:34 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (KUNA) -- Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department Vedant Patel stressed the importance of implementation of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty).
Commenting on Russia's decision three days ago to halt the inspection of its strategic arms facilities under the treaty, Patel recalled, in a press briefing on Thursday, that both countries had paused inspection activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic since the spring of 2020.
"Both sides have continued to provide data declarations and notifications in accordance to the treaty. The US is committed to implementation of the New START Treaty. And as President Biden has said, today perhaps more than any other time since the Cold War, we must work to reduce the risk of an arms race or nuclear escalation.
"We keep discussions between the parties concerning treaty implementation confidential," he said, adding that "the New START Treaty makes the US, Russia, and the world safer by preserving verified restrictions on our strategic nuclear arsenals and avoiding an arms race."
"We will continue to exercise our on-site inspection rights under the New START treaty will also prioritizing the health and safety of personnel conducting and hosting inspection activities.
"We look forward to continuing to implement this important treaty with the Russian Federation. It is an important instrument of stability in the bilateral relationship," Patel added.
The treaty, first signed on April 8, 2010, was extended on February 4, 2021, until February 5, 2026. (end)
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