Hungarian journalist Stir sees Russia’s suspension of participation in START as logical and expected

BUDAPEST, 21 February – RIA Novosti. Hungarian journalist Gabor Stir said that the suspension of Russia’s participation in the Strategic Offensive Weapons Treaty (START) is a logical response to the US withdrawal from a number of international agreements over the past decade, and that the agreement has not been in effect for a year. A member of the Valdai Club told RIA Novosti.

In a message to the Bundestag on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia is suspending participation in the Russian-American DNSV and that the country is not withdrawing from the agreement. Before returning to the discussion, he said, “We must understand for ourselves what countries like France and Great Britain still claim and how to account for their strategic arsenals, namely the combined offensive potential of the (North Atlantic).” alliance”.

“The statement on the suspension of participation in START-3 is a clear message to the West” We are ready for everything to protect Russia and its interests “… The suspension does not make much sense, because the agreement is essentially the absence of air traffic and “It has been in force for a year because of the difficulties caused by the military situation in Ukraine. The nuclear arsenal in another country is not actually controlled,” he said.

“It sounds very scary, but in practice this is another level of escalation of rhetoric. I emphasize – rhetoric. This does not mean that Russia wants to use nuclear weapons … The Western press is more concerned about what Russia is threatening than what Russia is actually threatening. says more” – said the agency’s source.

The expert also urged us not to forget that “strategic stability has fluctuated for at least 10 years since the US withdrew from a number of agreements.” “So this[Russia’s]response is reasonable and expected. I didn’t think it would be exactly like that, but if you think about it logically, it’s not a surprise,” he said.

In addition, Shtir recalled that “verbal tensions have also occurred on the Ukrainian side,” which Russian officials repeatedly noted, as there were frequent threats to “withdraw from the Budapest Accord” from Kiev.

The expert also drew attention to the “hysteria” that flared up in the Western media around Putin’s message to the Federal Assembly.

The agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States on measures to further reduce and limit strategic offensive weapons was signed on April 8, 2010 in Prague (Czech Republic). It superseded the 1991 START Agreement (START) and with its entry into force replaced the 2002 Strategic Attack Mitigation Agreement (STROT). On February 3, 2021, Moscow and Washington exchanged notes on the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the five-year extension of the Treaty to enter into force.