U.S. HASN’T HEARD FROM RUSSIA ON CHANGE IN ARMS CONTROL INSPECTIONS

Russia has not directly told the United States that it could put an end to U.S. arms control inspections in response to sanctions over a disagreement about Ukraine, Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” over the weekend. Russian news reports had suggested that Russia could stop arms control inspections, including those related to the New START Treaty, amid the growing tension over Ukraine. “The Russians haven’t said anything to us about that directly,” Blinken said. “We haven’t seen any change in their practices. Obviously that would be a serious development. Inspections are an important part of arms control agreements. We’ve had arms control agreements with the Russians, and indeed with the Soviet Union, for decades. And throughout the ups and downs of the relationship, each side has made good on its commitment. So we’d expect to see Russia do that.”