WASHINGTON, January 30. /TASS/. The United States is optimistic about completion of procedures on extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between Moscow and Washington by February 5 for a five-year period, a representative of the Department of State told TASS on Friday when commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signing of the bill extending the treaty into a law.
"There are still steps that should be finalized. But we are optimistic that the extension [of the document], which obviously meets our national security interests, will be finalized before expiration [of the document] on February 5," the representative said.
The law ratifies the agreement on extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States, dated April 8, 2010, which Russia and the US made on January 26, 2021, through an exchange of notes, the Kremlin said on Friday. The extension of the treaty meets Russia’s national interests as it makes it possible to maintain transparency and predictability in strategic relations between the two countries and preserve global strategic stability, press service noted.
On January 26, Moscow and Washington exchanged notes on extending New START. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Joseph Biden of the United States welcomed the move in a telephone call. On the same day, Putin submitted a bill on extending New START for five years - by February 5, 2026 - to the State Duma (the lower house of parliament).