[Regnum] The United States has until February 5 to decide whether to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev announced.
"First of all, we need to wait until February 5th and see if the US will offer any meaningful response to the Russian initiative," Medvedev noted in an interview with Kommersant newspaper.
At the same time, Medvedev emphasized that Moscow has not yet received a substantive official response from Washington regarding the treaty's extension. He added that if Moscow does not hear concrete proposals, Russia will rely on the actual steps taken by the American side.
The Deputy Chairman of the Security Council emphasized that Russia is prepared for any development, and new security threats will be addressed decisively and promptly. He also recalled the development of new types of strategic weapons, such as the Burevestnik and Poseidon.
In February 2023, Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of Russia's participation in the New START Treaty. The president then clarified that Washington, by failing to comply with the treaty, was attempting to pressure Moscow and accuse it of non-compliance.
On September 22, the Russian leader called the complete abandonment of the New START Treaty a mistake. Putin proposed adhering to the treaty's terms for another year after February 5, 2026, when the agreement expires.