EUA y Rusia acordaron extender por cinco a\u00f1os el nuevo tratado START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), solo unos d\u00edas antes de que expirara, salvaguardando los l\u00edmites de los arsenales nucleares de los dos pa\u00edses hasta 2026. Este tratado establece la cantidad de ojivas nucleares que ambos pa\u00edses pueden tener disponibles para su lanzamiento en misiles intercontinentales (ICBM). Autoriza adem\u00e1s, que especialistas de ambos pa\u00edses, realicen inspecciones cruzadas para verificar el cumplimiento de lo acordado.<\/p>\n
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement the decision to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) showed the US \u2018took the first step toward making good\u2019 on President Biden\u2019s pledge to restore US leadership on \u2018arms control and nonproliferation\u2019.<\/p>\n
New START limits all Russian nuclear warheads able to be mounted on an ICBM that could potentially reach the US in half an hour. The extension includes no amendments to the original treaty, meaning there will be no changes to inspection or enforcement procedures.<\/p>\n
During the Trump Administration, the US withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the Open Skies agreement \u2013 leaving just one treaty governing the two power\u2019s nuclear arsenals.<\/p>\n
Blinken said: \u201cExtending the New START Treaty ensures we have verifiable limits on Russian ICBMs [intercontinental ballistic missiles], SLBMs [submarine-launched ballistic missiles], and heavy bombers until February 5, 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe New START Treaty\u2019s verification regime enables us to monitor Russian compliance with the treaty and provides us with greater insight into Russia\u2019s nuclear posture, including through data exchanges and on-site inspections that allow US inspectors to have eyes on Russian nuclear forces and facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blinken added that extending New START was \u2018only the beginning\u2019 of US efforts to address new challenges, saying the administration would use the five-year extension to pursue new arms control agreements with Russia.<\/p>\n
Looking to China, Blinken said the US would also pursue an agreement with the country to \u2018reduce the dangers from China\u2019s modern and growing nuclear arsenal\u2019.<\/p>\n
NATO welcomed the extension in a statement, adding: \u201cNATO allies believe the New START Treaty contributes to international stability, and Allies again express their strong support for its continued implementation and for early and active dialogue on ways to improve strategic stability.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the alliance added that while the US \u2018engages\u2019 Russia to advance NATO\u2019s collective interest, it \u2018remains clear-eyed about the challenges Russia poses\u2019.<\/p>\n
The UK also praised the move, with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeting: \u201cThe UK welcomes the @POTUS [President Biden] decision to extend the New START treaty with Russia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to work closely with the US and our Allies to tackle new arms control challenges and bolster the existing arms control architecture that keeps our people safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russia\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that a telephone call between President Biden and President Putin in late January was key to clearing the way for the treaty\u2019s extension.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Ministry added: \u201cIn effect, this core mechanism for maintaining strategic stability is preserved and its further functioning assured on a strictly reciprocal basis, limiting the two countries\u2019 nuclear arsenals.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsidering the special responsibilities that Russia and the US carry as the world\u2019s largest nuclear nations, the decision taken is important as it guarantees a necessary level of predictability and transparency in this area, while strictly maintaining a balance of interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russia said that it hoped the decision would \u2018leave behind\u2019 past years trend of the dismantling of arms controls treaties that is said was the result of \u2018US destructive policies\u2019.<\/p>\n
The ministry added: \u201cSignificant steps would be required to return our bilateral dialogue in this area back to a more stable trajectory, reach new substantial results which would strengthen our national security and global strategic stability.\u201d<\/p>\n
On 29 January, Putin cleared the way for the extension signing a bill agreeing to keep the New START Treaty in force.<\/p>\n
Blinken added: \u201cJust as we engage the Russian Federation in ways that advance American interests, like seeking a five-year extension of New START and broader discussions to reduce the likelihood of crisis and conflict, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges that Russia poses to the United States and the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven as we work with Russia to advance US interests, so too will we work to hold Russia to account for adversarial actions as well as its human rights abuses, in close coordination with our allies and partners.\u201d<\/p>\n