Republicans in the US Congress opposed the extension of START for five years

Republican Congressmen Michael McCall and Mike Rogers opposed a five-year extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction and Limitation Treaty (START).

“It’s frustrating the Administration is wasting an opportunity to negotiate a stronger version of New START that includes non-strategic nuclear weapons, new weapon systems not covered by the original treaty, & a stronger verification regime,” the politicians said in a statement on Twitter.

The authors of the initiative called on US President Joe Biden to consider the option of reducing the duration of the agreement.

Earlier, the State Duma and the Federation Council ratified the agreement submitted by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to extend the treaty until February 5, 2026.

On the eve of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Biden, in a telephone conversation, they welcomed the exchange of diplomatic notes on reaching an agreement. As noted in the Foreign Ministry, the parties decided to extend the agreement on Moscow’s terms.