Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced on February 3 that Moscow would not initiate diplomatic démarches with Washington during the final one and a half days before the expiration of the Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3).
Ryabkov stated that Russia had completed all necessary steps for the treaty’s termination, emphasizing that the United States holds sole responsibility for its decision. “We did everything we needed to do earlier, in a timely manner,” he said, adding that the absence of U.S. response constitutes an answer.
The deputy minister also highlighted that China supports Russia’s position attributing global strategic security system disintegration to unilateral actions by the United States. Ryabkov stressed that France and the United Kingdom must participate in multilateral arms control negotiations to ensure effectiveness.
Separately, Ryabkov accused French and British authorities of pursuing an anti-Russian policy, claiming they are increasingly focused on expanding capabilities—both nuclear and non-nuclear—in areas affecting strategic stability.
Additionally, Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation, noted growing U.S. concerns that the window to extend START-3 with Russia is closing. Dmitriev cited former President Barack Obama as expressing worry about the situation.
