Billingsley named the condition of the US refusal to extend START

“In such a situation, we will not renew the contract.

Taking into account all the shortcomings of the START Treaty, we consider it unprofitable for the United States.

He imposes such restrictions on the United States, which he does not impose on Russia, ”he said.

At the same time, the United States does not dispute the legality of what Russia is doing, Billingsley stressed.

“Russia is a sovereign state and makes decisions on its own, but we are extremely concerned about what it does outside the START Treaty, especially the build-up of short-range nuclear weapons systems.

We have a question why this is necessary, ”said the special representative.

Responding to the comment that "the military budget in the United States is about ten times more than in Russia," the diplomat said: "Yes, but we can afford it."

In addition, as Billingsley noted, if Russia does not want to extend the START Treaty, then the United States does not see "nothing wrong" in this - Washington will be happy to modernize its nuclear arsenal without the restrictions provided for by the treaty.