Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after Russian President Vladimir Putin made comments supporting an extension of the New START nuclear arms control treaty with no preconditions and ahead of the Russian foreign minister’s planned visit to Washington tomorrow:

            “I welcome President Putin’s comments in support of extending New START. President Trump has also recently expressed a willingness to extend the Treaty, which I support.

            “New START is our only bilateral nuclear nonproliferation treaty still in effect with Russia. Its loss could trigger a new nuclear arms race that would only serve to bring us closer to nuclear war and waste billions of dollars.

            “Limiting the number of deployed nuclear weapons and delivery systems has had bipartisan support in Congress since President Reagan initiated it. It is also critical to continue the inspections and other verification measures that the treaty provides.

            “No one benefits from the possibility of nuclear war between Russia and the United States or from the weakening of our counter-proliferation norms. Now is the time for the president to begin serious talks to continue a nearly 30-year streak of successful arms control with Russia.”