G7 Supports Russia-US Dialogue on Nuclear Risk Reduction

The Group of Seven supports efforts to continue a strategic stability dialogue between Russia and the US, according to the statement of the G7 meeting in Karuizawa.

"The G7 supports good faith efforts to continue a US-Russian dialogue on the reduction of nuclear and strategic risks, but negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith," the statement read.

The G7 also condemned Russia's declared intention to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus. To nonproliferation directors, the move is a "further demonstration of irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."

In late March, Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, called on Moscow and Washington to fully abide by their obligations under the New New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) again and start drawing up a new agreement that would replace it.

She referred to this at the UN Security Council, which met in the wake of Russia's announcement to place tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on March 25 that, at the request of the Belarusian side, Russia will place its tactical nuclear weapons in that country, precisely in the way the United States has long kept its nuclear warheads on the territory of its allies.

Putin said the final touches would be put on a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil by July 1.

On February 21, the Russian president announced that Russia would suspend its participation in New START but not withdraw from it.

He stressed that before returning to discussing the extension of the treaty, the Russian side wants to understand how the document will take into account not only the arsenals of the US but also the stocks of other NATO nuclear powers, namely the UK and France.

On March 1, Putin signed a law on the suspension of Russia's participation in New START.