Recognizing the existence of the interrelationship between
strategic offensive arms and strategic defensive arms, that
this interrelationship will become more important as strategic
nuclear arms are reduced, and that current strategic defensive
arms do not undermine the viability and effectiveness of the
strategic offensive arms of the Parties,
Mindful of the impact of conventionally armed ICBMs and
SLBMs on strategic stability,
Taking into account the positive effect on the world
situation of the significant, verifiable reduction in nuclear
arsenals at the turn of the 21st century,
Desiring to create a mechanism for verifying compliance
with the obligations under this Treaty, adapted, simplified,
and made less costly in comparison to the Treaty Between the
United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic
Offensive Arms of July 31, 1991, hereinafter referred to as
the START Treaty,
Recognizing that the START Treaty has been implemented by
the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the
Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States of America,
and that the reduction levels envisaged by the START Treaty
were achieved,
Deeply appreciating the contribution of the Republic of
Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ukraine to nuclear
disarmament and to strengthening international peace and
security as non-nuclear-weapon states under the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of July 1, 1968,
Welcoming the implementation of the Treaty Between the
United States of America and the Russian Federation on
Strategic Offensive Reductions of May 24, 2002,
Have agreed as follows: