Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Monday that Russia would respond 'in kind' if the United States decides to resume nuclear tests, issuing a new warning about the global strategic balance. According to the Argentine News Agency (NA), the official noted that Washington has yet to respond to Moscow's initiative to continue respecting the essential limits of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) even after its expiration. Ryabkov recalled that in late September, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Security Council that Russia would maintain the core commitments of the treaty for an additional year, provided the United States refrains from actions that alter the existing strategic balance. The New START, signed in 2010 between Russia and the United States, sets limits on the number of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic launch systems. However, bilateral tensions and the lack of formal dialogue cast doubt on the future of the agreement.
