Tensions between the United States and the Russian Federation have been steadily ratcheting tighter and tighter since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine in March 2022.
Those strained relations are set to be further exacerbated following a report to Congress from the U.S. State Department claiming Russia is refusing to allow on-site inspections and not responding to the Biden administration’s requests to discuss its alleged non-compliance with the New Strategic Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
“Russia is not complying with its obligation under the New START Treaty to facilitate inspection activities on its territory,” the State Department said in a Jan. 31 statement accompanying its Russia New START Noncompliance Determination. “Russia’s refusal to facilitate inspection activities prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the treaty and threatens the viability of U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control.”…