EU Urges Russia to Permit US Inspections of Its Nuclear Stockpile under New START

The European Union believes that Russia should comply with its obligations under the New START treaty with the United States on the reduction of strategic offensive arms and permit US inspections envisaged by the document, the EU External Action Service said in a statement.

"The EU calls on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty by facilitating New START inspections on Russian territory, and participating in the Treaty’s implementation body, the Bilateral Consultative Commission within the treaty-established timeframe," the document says, TASS reported.

Last fall, Russia postponed the Bilateral Consultative Commission’s meeting indefinitely. Among other things, the commission sets dates for upcoming inspections.

The EU foreign policy service expressed its regret about Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the treaty, which, in its opinion, undermines the European security framework.

"By increasing predictability and mutual confidence amongst the two largest nuclear weapon States, this Treaty limits strategic competition and increases strategic stability," it said.