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Russian envoy points to substantial violations of key provisions of New START by US

Anatoly Antonov commented on the attempts by US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance with Agreements in this area Mallory Stewart to hold Moscow responsible for the situation around START

WASHINGTON, February 28. /TASS/. Authorities in the United States have for many years acted contrary to the main provisions of New START, the Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, told the media.

"Nor is it possible to dispute the fact that for many years Washington has substantially violated the central provisions of New START. Following a procedure not agreed upon with Russia, it declares SLBM launchers and heavy bombers incapable of carrying out nuclear missions. More than a hundred of them have been illegitimately withdrawn from the Treaty’s counting rules. Our inspectors have never been given the opportunity to verify the results of the ‘conversion’," Antonov lamented.

According to the Russian envoy, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) never entered into force because of the United States. "If the United States were a responsible nuclear power, it would have ratified the CTBT long ago. It is Washington that is responsible for the fact that the treaty has not yet entered into force. Other states on which the fate of the CTBT depends look at the US policy for cues. Why would they hurry if the Administration is unwilling to put a legal end to nuclear testing?" Antonov asked rhetorically.