What is START Treaty
The START Treaty was signed for the first time on 31 July 1991 and is effective from 5 December 1994. When this treaty was about to expire in February 2021, it was extended for five years. When Joe Biden took over as US President, he took this biggest decision in the first week of his term. Under this treaty, both countries have been allowed to conduct on-site inspections at nuclear weapons facilities. In March 2020, the inspection was carried forward due to the Covid-19 epidemic. Now in the meeting that will be held between Russia and America, it will be discussed that when will this inspection now take place. Relations between Russia and America are currently very tense.
What do US officials think
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February this year, relations with the US began to sour. Relations between the two countries had been straining since 2016. In the midst of this tension, when Russia expressed its desire to discuss this treaty, American officials considered it a positive step. Russia is keen to extend this treaty. At the same time, America has said that a decision will be taken only after on-site inspection.
what are the limits of the treaty
Earlier this year, the US tried to restore oversight, but the decision was complicated at that time. Russia accused the US of wanting to keep Russia away from the US border. According to State Department spokesman Ned Price, the news is encouraging at a time when US sanctions continue on Russia and new sanctions have been imposed due to the war with Ukraine.
How many weapons have been approved for deployment
The meeting to be held under this treaty will be with the title of Bilateral Consultative Commission (BCC). BCC was last held in October 2021. Under this treaty, both countries can deploy only 1550 nuclear weapons on the delivery system. These weapons also allow deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and bombers.