The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) II Agreement was a historic treaty signed between the United States and Russia on January 3, 1993. The treaty aimed to reduce the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles possessed by the two superpowers.
The START II Agreement was seen as a significant step towards nuclear disarmament, as it called for the gradual reduction of the nuclear arsenals of both countries over a period of time. The treaty set a limit of 3,000 to 3,500 warheads for each country, with the aim of eliminating all land-based multiple-warhead missiles.
The treaty also outlined a timeline for the destruction of missile systems, with an initial deadline of 2003 for the elimination of all land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with multiple warheads.
However, the treaty faced several challenges and was not fully implemented. The US Senate did not ratify the treaty until 1996, while the Russian Duma ratified the agreement in 2000. The treaty was later abandoned in 2002 by the United States following the US withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
Despite its shortcomings, the START II Agreement set an important precedent for nuclear disarmament efforts and paved the way for future arms reduction talks. It was succeeded by the START III Treaty, which was signed in 1997 but was never ratified.
Today, the START II Agreement remains a symbol of the efforts towards nuclear disarmament, and its principles continue to influence international discussions on arms reduction. While its full implementation may not have been achieved, the treaty remains an important reminder of the need for continued efforts towards global security and peace.