The United States Set To Renew The New START Treaty Under Special Circumstances

US President's special envoy for arms control, Ambassador Marshall Billingslea. (Source: Getty Images)

US Ambassador Marshall Billingslea said the country is ready to extend the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) only under special circumstances.

In an online discussion on June 24, US President's special envoy on arms control, Ambassador Marshall Billingslea said that the country is ready to extend the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Only in special situations.

"We are willing to consider extending the agreement but only in special cases."

Said Billingslea.

According to Bill Billingslea, these conditions include addressing China's rapid and "worrying" strengthening of the nuclear and concerns about Russia-related allegations, in addition to the obligations of the New START.

The US also wants to ensure an effective verification regime is in place to restore confidence that all three parties will comply with future agreed upon commitments.

The US special envoy said talks with his Russian counterpart this week in Vienna have strengthened their understanding of arms control issues between the two countries and areas of cooperation.

Billingslea said the next round of US-Russia strategic stability talks that could take place in late July or early August in Vienna and China will be invited to attend the US and Russian technical working groups on arms control will meet in the coming days in Vienna.

Billingslea ruled out the possibility of delaying the deployment of medium-range missiles after the US abandoned the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia in August 2019. Russian officials have repeatedly denied US accusations that they violated the treaty.

On June 22, Billingslea and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Serge Ryabkov, conducted negotiations on the extension of the New START, the final bilateral treaty limiting the two countries' nuclear arsenals. Effective February 2021.

Russia wants the current agreement to be extended for another five years, while the US insists on a multilateral treaty covering China, which has declined an invitation to join.