NUCLEAR FEARS: Russia accuses US of hiding nuclear weapons as it warns of SERIOUS problem

The Russian Foreign Ministry argue the US is “juggling figures” in order to grow its weapons numbers. In a statement, the ministry added that it was “a serious problem, which must be settled”. The US is only allowed to have a limited stockpile of weapons due to a treaty signed between the two nations in 2009.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) is aimed at reducing the number of nuclear weapons held by both countries.

According to Newsweek, the Under Secretary of State Andrea Thompson said President Donald Trump was “disinterested” at extending the treaty, which was reassessed back in 2010.

When speaking at the 2019 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference she added that “we have two years to make the decision on the extension”.

Her comments led to the Russian Foreign Ministry to accuse the US of ignoring New START and to “remind our American colleagues that the extension of the New START Treaty is not a mere formality that will take several weeks or even days, as they want the public to believe”.

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The statement said: “We have to say that although Washington claims to have done so, in actual fact it only achieved the reduction levels by juggling figures.

“It has achieved the agreed reduction levels not only by reducing arms but also through the illegal and unilateral reclassification of about a hundred strategic offensive systems.

“That is a serious problem, which must be settled before any discussions on the extension of the treaty are held.”

Previously, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said any failing in the treaty could see an arms race begin.

He said Washington and Moscow must “properly address a problem with the US’ compliance with this issue”.

New START was signed off in 2010 with the aim of halving both sides’ nuclear weapons.

President Trump has attacked the treaty, once staying that is favoured Russia over the US.

He said that it was “one of several bad deals negotiated by the Obama administration”.