U.S. and Russia Sign New Disarmament Treaty

On the 8th in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, President Obama and Russia’s President Medvedev, both countries (U.S. and Russia) had agreed to sign a treaty to reduce their nuclear arms to less than 1550. Once this (treaty) takes effect, both the U.S. and Russia will have to assume the obligation to reduce their current numbers of nuclear warheads by approximately one third. The initiation by the two countries has clearly shown their intention to lead the world in the reinforcement of nuclear disarmament and non-nuclear regime.

President Obama, who made a speech last year in April, hoping for “a world without nuclear weapons,” was at the treaty signing ceremony in Prague Castle. After signing, President Obama said, “This new treaty is an important step forward but it is only a small step in this long journey. This treaty merely sets the stage for further reduction” and pushed the countries to look into reducing their storage of tactical nuclear weapons. President Medvedev emphasized, “A few months ago, it was thought that it was impossible but we are finally able to sign it.”

The first Strategic Arms Reduction (START 1) treaty, which was signed in 1991, expired last year in December. The new treaty inherits forms of the previous treaty and is named the “New Start.”

Both countries will have an upper limit of 1550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads each and 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles each. After including non-deployment, the total will be set at 800 intercontinental ballistic missiles each. Both are obliged to reduce cross-validation and inspection. During the 10 years of validity, they are supposed to achieve the reduction within seven years from effect.

When signing, President Obama said that the nuclear disarmament treaty is “the most comprehensive arms control reduction in nearly two decades” and that he hopes the U.S. connects the ideas of reinforcing prevention of nuclear terrorism and international non-nuclear regimes as new goals.

It is said that the actual reduction is substantially less this time around simply because too much priority is placed on agreement. The conflicts around U.S. Missile Defense (MD) system has yet to be resolved, and when the MD threat has increased, Russia will issue a special statement to have the right to unilaterally withdraw from the treaty.

Outline of the New U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty

•As compared to the Moscow treaty signed in 2002 which had an upper limit of 2200, deployed strategic nuclear warheads will be reduced by approximately one third to 1550.

•Including the non-deployed, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), deployed heavy bombers equipped with nuclear armament will be reduced to a total of 800.

•Deployed delivery vehicles will also be reduced to 700.

•The new treaty will have a verification mechanism to monitor all aspects of the treaty.

•The treaty is valid for 10 years. The reduction has to be achieved within seven years after the ratification between the two countries.