Dmitry Peskov: Extending “START-3” treaty is in the interest of Washington and Moscow

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian presidency, announced in a press conference today, Tuesday, that there are active contacts taking place between Moscow and Washington in order to extend Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty “START-3”.

Dmitry Peskov said, “Active contacts are already taking place, because the time for the expiry of the agreement is about to run out, and the extension is in the interest of the two countries and the whole world.”

A spokesman for the Russian presidency indicated that the issue of extending the START-3 treaty is the main topic on the agenda of Russian-American bilateral relations.

For his part, US President Joe Biden announced that he is ready to discuss problematic issues with Russia, and that the United States can cooperate with Russia, in particular, on the issue of Strategic Arms Reduction.

“We can work for our country on extending START 3 (Strategic Arms Reduction), and making it clear to Russia that we are very concerned about the treatment of opponent Alexei Navalny, and the reports of bonuses being awarded to Americans in Afghanistan,” Biden said.

A few days ago, White House spokeswoman Jane Psaki said in a press briefing: “I can confirm that the United States intends to propose an extension of the treaty (START-3) for a period of five years, as the agreement allows.”

The “START 3” treaty obligated the American and Russian sides to reciprocal reductions of strategic nuclear weapons arsenals, and stipulates that, within a 7-year period, nuclear warheads will be reduced to 1,550, and ICBMs and ballistic missiles launched from submarines and heavy bombers will be reduced to 700 units.