HOUSE REPUBLICANS TAKE AIM AT ARMS CONTROL AMBITIONS

Anita Friedt, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nuclear and Strategic Policy, acknowledged that Russia’s actions in Ukraine “have undermined trust” but noted that arms control has long provided an area of cooperation between the countries even during tense times. Responding to questions from Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), she said using arms control to punish Russia was not the right approach. “This Administration has made it very clear that it is important to continue to cooperate with Russia where we can, where our national security interests coincide, but then when we disagree, we disagree and we make our disagreement very clear,” Friedt said. “So there is no question that it is in our national security interests to continue to work with Russia and international partners in multilateral efforts that are key to global security.”

 

Friedt also declined to provide more details on allegations that Russia had violated the INF Treaty, even as she was chided by members of the panel for delays in making a decision on the violations. The State Department has delayed the submission of its annual compliance report to Congress, which is expected to contain an analysis of the INF violations. “We will continue to work with Russia to resolve our concerns and to encourage mutual steps to help foster a more stable, resilient, transparent security relationship,” she said. “We’re not going to drop the issue until our concerns have been addressed.”