Regarding the START Treaty and the (resumption) of information exchange related to it, Ryabkov stated during a meeting on the “Foundations of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy in the Russian Federation,” organized by the Energy and Security Center with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation: “I see no possibility for that because we have suspended the entire treaty, including all its elements, whether inspections, demonstrations, or advisory committee meetings. Everything. This also includes the exchange of information.”
Ryabkov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal regarding a new START Treaty merely means that both sides commit to the central quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms for one more year after the treaty’s expiration.
He pointed out that if nothing happens within a year of the suspension, it would be possible to “take a closer look at what to do next.” He added, “That’s all. This is a limited offer, for a limited period. We hope it will be accepted.”
