Russian foreign ministry: Nothing can prompt the entry into force of START-2

The Russian Federation thinks nothing can prompt the entry into force of the Russia-US Further Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, also known as the START-2, reads a statement released by the Russian foreign ministry. A copy of the statement was handed over to RIA Novosti on Friday.

In May of 2000, Russia ratified the START-2 and the New York agreements dealing with the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty that were reached on September 26, 1997. At that moment, the USA acted as though they intended to do the same, asserts the statement.

"Eventually, all this was expected to make us fulfil agreements dealing with both countries' strategic offensive and defensive weapons," says the document. However, the USA refused to ratify the START-2 and the New York agreements.

On June 13, 2002, the United States withdrew from the ABM Treaty. As a result, "the international legal act, which served as the corner-stone of strategic stability, became invalid," the statement emphasizes.

Considering that the US withdrew from the ABM Treaty and taking into account the Federal Law of Ratification of the START-2, Russia "considers itself free from the international commitment to restrain from actions that could deprive this Treaty of its object and goal," concludes the foreign ministry.