Is nuclear war threatening the world? What does the State Department say about the future of nuclear treaties with Russia?

At first, the United States, and then Russia, suspended their participation in the treaty on medium and shorter range missiles (INF). About the US plans to develop new missiles and the fate of other treaties on the limitation of weapons with nuclear warheads Russian service with the BBC told the representative of the US State Department Vanessa Asker.

Фото: Depositphotos

Bi-bi-si: On Saturday, Vladimir Putin said that Russia, in response to US actions, also suspends participation in the INF Treaty. What is the reaction of Washington to this? Are we on the verge of war?

Vanessa Asker: I would not say that we are on the verge of war. For the US, stability remains the top priority in Europe, and the INF Treaty has for many years been the basis of this stability. We have complied with the provisions of the 31 Year Agreement. But when only one signatory of the contract fulfills its conditions, then this is no longer an agreement, these are already some words simple. Action is required on both sides. 2013 and I have expressed concern that Russia is breaking the treaty. But since then the situation has not changed.

Bi-bi-si: Some experts say that Washington’s decision actually helps Russia, since now Moscow can develop any missiles and place them where it wants. At the same time, the US will have to discuss its actions with its European allies. What, in your opinion, are the prospects for your negotiations with Europe?

V.A.: I can not speculate about what will happen in the future. But on the whole, our European partners fully agree with our analysis of the actions of Russia in violation of the INF. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that there are no new American missiles in Europe at the moment. But Russian missiles with the potential to carry nuclear warheads have become more. And that is what put the treaty at risk. I can’t tell you the details of what the consultations with our partners in Europe will look like. But we remain in close contact.

Photo: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bi-bi-si: What are the US plans to develop new weapons systems and medium-range missiles?

VA: In 2017, the president of the United States signed a directive to begin research and development of new defensive systems. Congress allocated a budget of 48 million dollars for this. Now the Pentagon is considering the development of additional defensive capabilities. If a new system is developed, it will take time to train the soldiers and officers who will manage and maintain it. Then consultations with our partners about where such a system could be placed will be needed. In general, we need to work a lot and figure out before the new defense system comes into service.

Bi-bi-si: Are there any details of what the new system will be like?

VA: No, unfortunately, I can not share with you this information.

“Moscow’s answers did not convince us”

Фото: Depositphotos

Bi-bi-si: This year, Russia took an unprecedented step - it demonstrated the transport and launch container for the 9M729 missile and issued an explanation. Why didn't this demonstration convince you?

VA: First, Russia controlled the entire container demonstration process. They tried to create the illusion of transparency. But in reality there was no openness, since the whole process of the demonstration was controlled. And what they have demonstrated does not explain in any way what possibilities the upgraded version of the 9M729 rocket has. We know that we tested the new missiles and that they violate the conditions of the INF. This is not only our opinion, the NATO partners agreed with our arguments. So the briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense did not dispel our doubts.

Bi-bi-si: Russia says that American drones (heavy drones) fall under INF. What could you answer to this?

VA: Drones are not missiles, so their use cannot be regulated by the INF Treaty; they are simply not mentioned there. Moreover, drones are fundamentally different from missiles. In addition, the Russian side has also been developing military drones for many years.

Bi-bi-si:Russia said that the target missiles for testing US missile defense systems are essentially medium-range missiles. Is it so?

VA: No, we do not agree with this assessment. DSMD allows the use and testing of target rockets subject to certain parameters. We strictly observe these parameters. We tested our target missiles within the permitted limits, notified the other party about the launches and provided Moscow with all the necessary documents on this issue.

Bi-bi-si: Moscow is convinced that the Mk 41 launchers of the SM-3 missile defense system of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system in Poland and Romania are suitable for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles. Is it so?

VA: This statement is incorrect. The installations located in Poland and Romania are fundamentally different from the Tomahawk cruise missile launch systems installed on our Navy ships. Potential cruise missile launches from Mk 41 launchers would require different software and other additional components. So the systems located in Poland and Romania are only capable of launching defensive missiles. Additional equipment to convert defensive systems into offensive ones is not available at these military bases and has never been tested.

"We are disappointed by the lack of action"

Photo: militaryrussia.ru

Bi-bi-si: What is your plan for the next six months?

VA: As Secretary Pompeo said on Friday, we warned Russia by sending a diplomatic note. This note starts the six-month process. In accordance with Article 15 of the INF Treaty, a party withdrawing from the treaty must give notice six months in advance. We are open to dialogue with Russia. The only condition under which the United States will refuse to withdraw from the treaty is the destruction by Russia of 9M729 missiles. But judging by the words of President Putin, it does not seem that Russia is ready for this.

Bi-bi-si: Do you still have a clear action plan for the next six months?

VA: At the moment we are still bound by the terms of the contract and will abide by it in the next six months. At the same time, we will continue to study possible retaliatory measures against the violation of the treaty by Russia. This will probably provide Russia with an additional incentive to revise its opinion on the termination of the INF.

Bi-bi-si: Could the fate of the INF Treaty also befall other treaties - for example, START, NPT?

VA: The new START treaty (START III) is fully implemented and will expire only in February 2021. This is another two years. We do not violate the contract, but we have not yet decided to extend it. We have a few more years to make this decision.

Bi-bi-si: Is it likely that START III will cease to act?

VA: Interdepartmental discussions are underway. Now we are complying with this agreement.

Bi-bi-si: Is it possible to maintain the dialogue between Washington and Moscow on the issue of nuclear weapons?

V.A.: We have always been more than open to dialogue with Russia. And over the past few years, we have had more than 30 meetings with Moscow on the subject of the INF. We expressed to them our attitude towards violations of this treaty. On our side, the door for negotiation is always open. But at the moment we are disappointed with the inaction of Moscow in response to the suggestions and concerns that we have expressed.

Bi-bi-si: China and Iran have significant potential for INF. If new negotiations on the subject of the treaty will take place, would you like to invite China to the table?

VA: I have no information about this, so I can not comment on this issue.

Фото: Depositphotos

What is the INF?

• The Treaty on Medium and Short Range Missiles, signed by the United States and the USSR in 1987, prohibited all complexes of nuclear and non-nuclear ground-based missiles with an average (1000-5500 km) and smaller (500-1000 km) radius of action;
• The US was concerned about the deployment of the SS-20 missile system, and America responded by deploying Pershing missiles and cruise missiles in Europe, causing large protests;
• By 1991, about 2700 missiles were destroyed;
• In May 2007, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said that “the treaty is no longer effective, since dozens of states have appeared that have such missiles.” In the same year, Vladimir Putin announced the need to make the INF Treaty multilateral, but then the Barack Obama administration showed no interest in Moscow’s initiative;
• In 2002, the United States withdrew from the treaty on the limitation of missile defense systems.

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