Officially known as New start, This treaty It expires on February 5, 2026after an extension of five years agreed in 2021.
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In his request to the United States, Putin used a threatening language. He said that “No one must have any doubt. Russia is willing to respond to any threat (…), Answer not in word, but with the adoption of technical-military measures “.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, attends a meeting with Leonid Pasechnik (does not appear in the image), leader installed by Moscow of the parties controlled by Russia of the Ukrainian region of Lugansk. (Photo by Alexander Kazakov / AFP).
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He Russian president emphasized that the extension of the treaty “It will only be viable with the condition that the US acts analogously and does not give steps that mining or destroying the current equivalence of potential for deterrent.”
He described as “wrong” and “short of sights” from “many points of view” a possible final renunciation of the United States to the treaty.
“In particular, I would have an impact on our point of view, when guaranteeing the objectives of the Nuclear Non -Proliferation Treaty,” pointed out.
Putin also blamed the west of undermining Russian-American arms cooperation and to violate bilateral weapons agreements. At this point, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that the Russian leader tries to ignore that Russia has violated numerous multilateral and bilateral treaties in recent decades.
For example, in 2023 Russia suspended his participation in the START IIIHe refused to exchange data on missiles and blocked US inspections.
That same year, Putin signed a law that revoked the ratification of the Complete Prohibition Treaty of Nuclear Tests (TPCE), Although Moscow said it would continue to comply with the moratorium imposed on atomic evidence.
In the context of the War in UkraineRussia has been accused of shaking the nuclear issue several times. Days after launching his February 2022, Putin put his nuclear forces on a maximum alert.
Last year, Putin signed a decree that expands the possibilities of using nuclear weapons.
What is the start III?
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev (DER), and US President Barack Obama, sign the new strategic weapons reduction treaty (START III) in Prague on April 8, 2010 (Joe Klala / AFP’s photo).
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He START III He was signed in Prague in 2010 by the then US president Barack Obama And his Russian couple Dmitri Medvedevand entered into force in 2011.
The treaty establishes a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear eyes For each country.
The number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), ballistic missiles launched from submarines (SLBM) and heavy bombers deployed for nuclear missions must be 700.
While the number of ICBM pitchers, SLBM pitchers and bombers, deployed and not deployed, is 800.
His direct antecedent is the Start i of 1991, which marked the first great reduction of arsenals after the cold war and a strict verification. It was signed by George Hw Bush and Mikhail Gorbachov.
Subsequently, the Start II (1993), Agreed by Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin, prohibited intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple eyelets (MIRVS). Although it was ratified, it never fully entered into force due to tensions between Russia and the United States.
In 2002 the Moscow treaty was signed, which established more lax limits, but without solid verification mechanisms.
Thus, the start III It is considered the last pillar of current global security, after the withdrawal of the United States and Russia of other agreements such as the Treaty of nuclear forces of intermediate scope (INF) 1987 or the open skies treaty.
The risks of non -renewal of the agreement
Russian Yars Intercontinental Balistic missile launchers in the Red Square during the Victory Day Parade, on May 9, 2024. (Photo by Alexander Nemenov / AFP).
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Andrés Gómez de la Torre, a specialist in defense and intelligence issues, stressed that the START III It has two fundamental characteristics: first, a quantitative limiting in the number of nuclear heads and display of ballistic missiles of each country. Second, the Reciprocal system of bilateral inspections, something that allows verifying that the limits are being met.
“The second point has been suspended by Russia for the issue of involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the Strengthening of the military capacity of Ukraine “said Gómez de la Torre to Commerce.
“In this context, something very important must be underlined: Russia has changed its classical nuclear doctrine. Now it contemplates the use of atomic weapons in case of a deep conventional attack that threatens its vital interests and its territory,” The specialist said.
He added that the high Russian leadership has even slipped the possibility of using Tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, “What marks a worrying scaling in its diplomacy of nuclear deterrence.”
Regarding the approach of Putin to USA, Gómez de la Torre said there are options for the limited extension of Start III.
“If there is no agreement, we could be facing the possibility of entering a New arms race nuclear similar to that of the Cold War in the 60s and 70s ″he said.
“The start III has so far contributed to maintain some strategic stability,” accurate.
“Europe, on the other hand, observes with caution. In the process of rearme, the European Union recognizes that Russian deterrence and its nuclear policy generate restlessness, especially in the face of the atomic capacities that still retain France and the United Kingdom within NATO “Gómez de la Torre said.
