Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, has expressed Russia’s lack of trust in the West and its intention to strengthen ties with countries like India. Gerasimov accused the United States of provoking global conflicts and undermining crucial arms control treaties from the Cold War era. He stated that it is currently “impossible” for Moscow to have even a minimum level of trust in the West.
The issue of arms control has become irrelevant in current international relations due to the lack of trust between Russia and the West, according to Gerasimov. Both Russia and the United States, as the largest nuclear powers, have expressed regret over the breakdown of various arms control treaties aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear war and slowing down the arms race.
Gerasimov emphasized that without trust, it is impossible to establish an effective mechanism for mutual control. As a result of the strained relations with the US and other Western countries, Russia is looking to strengthen its relations with countries like China, India, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela.
The United States has blamed Russia for the collapse of agreements such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. While the US formally withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing Russian violations, Russia denied the accusations. President Vladimir Putin suspended Russian participation in the New START treaty in 2023, citing US support for Ukraine as the reason.
Gerasimov highlighted the deployment of US missiles in Europe and Asia as fueling a strategic arms race, with particular concern over the build-up of American forces in the Philippines. He also noted increased NATO military activity near Russia’s borders and accused the US of direct involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
Overall, Russia’s decision to strengthen ties with countries like India in response to its lack of trust in the West reflects the shifting dynamics of international relations and the challenges posed by arms control agreements. The need for trust and effective mechanisms for mutual control remains a key issue in ensuring global security and stability.
