Restrict the number of nuclear weapons and limit the missiles, bombers and submarines .. Extension of the New START Treaty between America and Russia

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the United States extended - on Wednesday - the "New START" treaty with Russia for a period of 5 years.

Russia welcomed the move, and announced that the agreement entered into force today.

"The extension of the New START treaty ensures that we have verifiable limits on Russian ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers until February 5, 2026," Blinken added in a statement.

"In times of tension in particular, verifiable restrictions on Russia's intercontinental nuclear weapons are of the utmost importance," he said.

In addition to restricting the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons to their lowest level in decades, the New START treaty also limits the missiles, ground bombers and submarines that carry them.

The administration of US President Joe Biden said last month it would seek the extension.

The Arms Control Treaty, which is due to expire on February 5, obliges the United States and Russia to reduce their deployed strategic nuclear warheads, to a maximum of 1,550 each.

Russian position

The Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed the US move today, Wednesday, saying that the extension "guarantees the necessary level of predictability and transparency in this area, with strict adherence to the balance of interests."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the agreement to extend the Treaty on Limiting Strategic Offensive Weapons "START 3" entered into force today, and that Moscow and Washington exchanged the necessary notes in this regard.

She added that Moscow is ready to work with Washington to enhance global security and strategic stability, and calls on Washington to cooperate.

On January 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law extending the treaty by five years.

Russia has said the extension will take effect when the two sides exchange diplomatic notes.

For his part, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) announced that it supports the agreement between Washington and Moscow to extend the New START treaty, because it contributes to international stability.

The European Union also welcomed the extension of the treaty between Washington and Moscow, and considered it a decisive contribution to international and European security.

Politics experts said that abolishing the treaty would end all restrictions imposed on the deployment of US and Russian strategic nuclear warheads and the launch systems they carry, which could spark a new arms race.