The United States has surprisingly published figures on its strategic nuclear weapons and called on Russia to take a similar step. Washington calls on Russia "to comply with its legal obligations by rejoining the New Start agreement and the stabilization, transparency and verification measures contained therein," the US State Department said on Monday (local time). The publication was voluntary, it said.

New Start is the last remaining nuclear weapons control treaty between Russia and the United States. In the agreement signed in 2010, Washington and Moscow commit to reducing their nuclear warheads to a maximum of 1550 each, as well as limiting their launchers and heavy bombers to a maximum of 800 pieces.

Moscow had suspended the agreement in February in response to the West's support for Ukraine in Russia's war of aggression, but then announced that it would comply with its obligations until the treaty expires on February 5, 2026.

"Transparency among the nuclear powers is valuable"

According to the statement by the US State Department, the US had deployed a total of 1 intercontinental ballistic missiles with 662 nuclear warheads and 1419 launchers as of March 800. This includes missiles on board submarines and bombers.

With the disclosure of the data, the U.S. is making a U-turn. In response to Russia's withdrawal from the agreement, Washington announced in March that it would no longer disclose any information as part of New Start.

"The United States continues to view transparency among nuclear powers as extremely valuable in reducing the likelihood of miscalculations and costly arms races," the statement said.