Russia and the USA have extended the ’NEW START’

1 Russia — The USA

During a telephone conversation on Tuesday between the new US President Joe Biden and the Russian President Vladimir Putin, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the «exchange of diplomatic notes on reaching of an agreement on the extension of the ’New START’ treaty» — the Kremlin press service reported. It was noted that «in the coming days, both sides will complete all the necessary procedures for the further functioning of this important international legal mechanism for the mutual limitation of the nuclear missiles».On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin submitted to the Russian parliament an agreement on the extension of the ’’New Start’’ for 5 years, without any additional conditions. On Wednesday, the Russian parliament will consider the ratification of the treaty. Putin and Biden discussed the issues of the one-sided exit of the USA from the ’Open Skies’ treaty, the problems of preserving of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan on the Iranian nuclear program, the internal Ukrainian settlement, and the Russian initiative to hold a summit of the permanent members of the UN Security Council.The White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, announced that the conversation took place by the initiative of Joe Biden.

2 Russia — The USA

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, stated that Russia and the USA had agreed to extend the ’New Start’ treaty, without preconditions». Sergei Ryabkov specified that the agreement will be extended «for 5 years, without preconditions or additions, as Moscow insisted. Sergei Ryabkov added that the day before he exchanged notes with the US Ambassador to Moscow, John Sullivan, on the confirmation of the extension of the ’New Start’ for 5 years. He added that the decision is mutually beneficial, and correct.

3 Russia

The Russian Federal Council unanimously ratified the agreement to extend the ’NEW START’ until 5th of February, 2026. 148 members of the council voted ’for’ the extension. The head of the international affairs council’s committee, Konstantin Kosachev, noted that the treaty «comprehensively ensures the Russian national security». The head of the Defense and Security Council committee, Viktor Bondarev, expressed his hope that the extension of the treaty «will reduce the international tension, and normalize both the Russian-American relations, and the general situation».

4 The USA

The US Senate adopted a resolution on the rules for the conducting of the preliminary procedures in the framework of the impeachment of the former US President, Donald Trump. During the proceedings, the prosecution and the defense will present their arguments. The impeachment process against Donald Trump will resume on 9th of February. 83 senators voted ’for’ the resolution, 17 were ’against’. The Senate meeting was broadcast by the American TV companies.After the adoption of the resolution, the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, proposed in accordance with the provisions of the document to resume the process of impeachment of Donald Trump on 9th of February. The proposal was adopted unanimously.

5 Armenia

The Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan stated during a meeting with the Iranian President, Mohammad Javad Zarif, that the results of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh can’t create a basis for a lasting peace in the region. «Currently, our region is facing new serious problems created by the dangerous Azerbaijani attempt to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by force.Armenia doesn’t believe that the results of the use of force as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh can create a basis for a lasting peace, or be considered an opportunity for the regional cooperation» — Ara Ayvazyan explained.

6 The USA

’The Wall Street Journal’ reported while citing their sources in the US Defense Department that the US officials may reconsider the decision of the Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the number of the US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. ’The Wall Street Journal’ noted that Donald Trump’s decision to reduce the number of the US military to 2,500 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq leaves the Joe Biden’s administration with a task to «assess the strategic role of the USA in two conflicts’.’The Wall Street Journal’ noted that the new head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, plans to cancel that decision. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ’ANNA NEWS’.