On the recordJanuary 31, 2011
as some of us predicted, problems are already arising from the Senate's ratification of the New START treaty last December. The Russians just ratified it, and their interpretation of its meaning and obligation is different from ours. That is going to cause problems. I will also discuss this afternoon the President's fiscal year 2012 budget in the areas of nuclear modernization and missile defense, both of which were closely tied to the Senate's support of the New START treaty. First, what the Russians are saying about the treaty. The Russian State Duma and the Federation Council, which is their counterpart to the Senate, last week passed its Federal law on the New START treaty, and that is the Russian equivalent to our resolution of ratification. That document demonstrates there is a significant divergence of views between the two countries on several key provisions and core principles of the New START treaty. For example, Russian officials continue to assert, despite statements from the Obama administration and despite the Senate's legally binding positions to the contrary, that various treaty provisions, including in the preamble, constrain U.S. military options regarding missile defense and conventional prompt global strike. Far from supporting the touted ``reset'' in its relations, this lack of meeting of the minds is a ticking time bomb for disruption of our relations.
