Russia and US have finally cemented a landmark deal to slash its atomic arsenal, but real historic acts are judged by visible results, says Dr. Natalia Narochnitskaya, president of the Historical Perspective Foundation.
“Everybody in Russia took the signing of this treaty as a major step forward and as a certain proof that President Obama really thinks of reconfiguring American policy,” Dr Narochnitskaya said. “The START treaty is a source of certain hope, but a real historic act is judged afterwards by the real policy, real results and deeds.”
The treaty opens the door to further reductions of nuclear weapons around the world, but will only be possible with close co-operation with other nuclear powers, says Dr. Igor Zevelyov from the independent McArthur's Foundation, which aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war.
“Russia and the US now come to a threshold at which it will be impossible to be engaged in bilateral negotiations only. It will be very important to engage other nuclear powers, including declared and non-declared nuclear countries. And this will take much effort from all possible sides.”