According to US State Department spokesman Ned Price Washington is ready to begin developing a new security treaty to replace START-3 only if the Russian side begins to act as a “responsible nuclear power.”
“The United States is ready if Russia begins to act as a responsible nuclear power .” at the negotiations on a new framework that will replace the expiring START-3 in the coming years,” Price emphasized.
At the same time, he pointed out the importance of observing the previous treaty. “We understand the value of START-3, now the value of this treaty is even greater than it was in the previous years of its existence,” Price added, adding that Washington will do everything to preserve the key provisions of these agreements.< /p>
START III – Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on measures to further reduce and limit strategic offensive weapons.