United Nations, Sep 15 (UNI) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged United States and Russia to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by five years as soon as possible stressing on the significance of the treaty for ensuring global security.
New START is the only remaining legally binding Russian-US deal on nuclear arms control, the treaty expires on February 2021.
Speaking to RIA Novosti Guterres said, "I welcome the recent talks between the United States and the Russian Federation in Vienna, and I strongly urge both sides to agree to move quickly to extend the Treaty by the full five years,".
The UN chief felt that an extension of the treaty would provide time "to lay the ground for negotiations on new agreements, including with other nuclear-armed countries."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed extending the New START by five years with no pre-conditions. The US administration however is insisting on getting China involved in negotiations so as to reach a new trilateral nuclear deal. Washington also seeks to expand the treaty so that it covers some new types of armament.
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