Updated March 2021 The Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty was an agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union that limited the number of ground-based anti-ballistic missile systems and sites that each side could have. Both parties also agreed not to develop sea-based, air-based, or space-based ABM systems. After the fall of the Soviet Union, […]
Ask an Expert: Thomas Countryman on U.S.-Russia Relations
(Click here for a printable version of this interview) Thomas Countryman is 35-year veteran of the United States Department of State. He was a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Minister-Counselor, and most recently served as Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. He simultaneously served as Assistant […]
Fact Sheet: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
Updated May 2021 The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF, or The Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles) was signed on December 8, 1987, and entered into force on June 1, 1988. The treaty required parties to eliminate nuclear and […]
Fact Sheet: The Treaty on Open Skies
Updated June 2021 The Treaty on Open Skies allows for states party to the treaty to conduct unarmed observation flights over the territory of other states to foster inter-military transparency and cooperation. The United States, Canada, and 22 European countries including Russia signed the treaty in Helsinki on March 24, 1992. The United States Senate […]
Fact Sheet: Understanding the New START Agreement
Updated May 2021 Background The United States and Russia signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) on April 8, 2010. The United States ratified the treaty on December 22, 2011. The treaty was extended by the Russian Federation on January 27, 2021 and by the United States on February 3, 2021. Previous Treaties: […]
