The EU deplores the announcement by President Putin to suspend Russia’s obligations under New START Treaty.

The EU attaches the highest importance to the New START Treaty and regards it as a crucial contribution to international and European security. The reduction of deployed strategic nuclear arsenals under the New START Treaty, is enhanced notably by its robust verification mechanism, and contributes to the implementation of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty through the overall reduction in the global stockpile of deployed nuclear weapons.

By increasing predictability and mutual confidence amongst the two largest nuclear weapon States, this Treaty limits strategic competition and increases strategic stability. Suspension of the Treaty or its expiration without a proper follow-on agreement would undermine the European security architecture and substantially set back arms control efforts, which is not in the interest of any of the States parties to New START, neither of any other country.

The EU calls on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty by facilitating New START inspections on Russian territory, and participating in the Treaty’s implementation body, the Bilateral Consultative Commission within the treaty-established timeframe.