Russia’s nuclear state violates the basic principles of the UN Charter, Annalena Burbock said.
Russia should return to the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START). German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said this at a conference on disarmament in Geneva, Ukrinform reported on Monday, February 27.
“President Vladimir Putin’s announcement is irresponsible. And it’s the latest in a line of blows Russia has dealt to the arms control architecture,” Burbock said.
He recalled that START is a bilateral document between the US and Russia, but it is also a guarantee of global stability and security for all states on the planet.
“Let’s call on President Putin to return to the START Treaty and talk about it with the United States. I strongly believe that this is in the interest of all of us … At a time when a nuclear state is violating the basic principles of UN Charter, negotiating forums like the Geneva Conference on Disarmament, more important than ever,” said Burbock.
According to him, disarmament and arms control remain a central part of security.
“We must not allow some states to endanger the security of all of us. In our disarmament efforts, we are on the side of international law. And this is a position of strength,” emphasized Burbock, while noting the continuation of Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs, which create regional and global threats.
Recall that on February 21, during an address to the Federal Assembly, Putin used nuclear threats and announced the suspension of Russia’s participation in START.
In this regard, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that such a decision by Russia would destroy the entire architecture of arms control.
And the head of the US State Department, Anthony Blinken, called Russia’s decision on START irresponsible.
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) is the only remaining element of the former comprehensive system of arms control treaties between the United States and Russia. This agreement also limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons, such as long-range missiles.
Under START, each country can have no more than 800 nuclear weapons carriers and no more than 1,550 warheads. In February 2021, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the agreement until 2026.
New START provides for regular mutual inspections of ICBM bases, strategic submarine bases and strategic aviation air bases, as well as loading, storage, repair and test sites. From 2011 to 2020, the parties conducted 328 such reviews. From 2020, they – by mutual agreement – will not be held due to the pandemic.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.