Moscow accuses Washington of “provocation” after announcing weapons tests in Russia

Moscow has accused the US of irrational and unnecessary escalation and provocation by declaring an inspection operation on Russian territory under the New START Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and Russia will not allow reciprocal inspections.

Russia has said it will not allow its weapons inspection for now because of travel restrictions imposed by Washington and its allies.

In comments released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the US announcement to Moscow during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference prompted Russia to withdraw its cooperation.

“In the current situation, such a move seemed like an open provocation,” Ryabkov added.

The New START treaty, which entered into force in 2011, sets the maximum strategic nuclear arsenals the United States and Russia can deploy, and limits the deployment of missiles and bombers on land and at sea. It also offers inspections to ensure both parties are compliant.

Last year, the deal was renewed just days before it expired, and any new deal would require lengthy negotiations and a lengthy approval process.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on August 1 that he was willing to urgently negotiate a new framework to replace the New START treaty, which expires in 2026, but Moscow must prove it is willing to work with Washington again to rein it in. Proliferation Nuclear.