Mikhail Margelov, the chairman of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, has called the position of the opponents, first and foremost, Republicans, on the ratification of the new START agreement destructive, first of all, to U.S. security interests, as such position deprives Washington a legal access to the information on the current state of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. He also noted that the distinction in positions between the Democrats and Republicans on ratification reflects their internal political opposition. At the same time, Margelov attributed a part of the opposition to the traditionally guarded attitude of the Republicans to Russia, especially on issues relating disarmament. Margelov added that ratification requires the support of two third votes of senators. “There is a probability that the number of new START opponents could increase after the U.S. midterm elections in November.”
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