Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow proposes to the United States to include hypersonic weapons in the extended Treaty on Measures to Further Reduce and Limit Strategic Offensive Arms (START, unofficially START-3). He stated this in an interview with the RBC TV channel, the broadcast is available on the publication’s website.
The Foreign Minister noted that since the conclusion of the agreement in 2010, new weapons have appeared, which only partially or do not fall under its influence. The minister stressed that they should also be taken into account. So, according to him, “hypersound is partially subject to START if these are ballistic missiles.”
Lavrov urged to “build” this type of weapons into the treaty and see how it will be verified. He also added that during the talks Russia and the United States should discuss all topics that in one way or another have an impact on the strategic stability and legitimate interests of the two countries.
Earlier it was reported that Russia included a hypersonic missile complex with a guided warhead Avangard in the area of START-3. Vladimir Yermakov, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control, said that this was done in good faith, despite a number of legal issues arising, including with respect to the unconstructive US approaches to control over such systems.