THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary (Moscow, Russia)
For Immediate Release June 4, 2000
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGIC
STABILITY
1. The Presidents of the United States of America and the Russian Federation agree on the need to maintain strategic
nuclear stability. Agreements between them help accomplish this objective.
2. They are dedicated to the cause of strengthening strategic stability and international security. They agree that
capability for deterrence has been and remains a key aspect of stability and predictability in the international
security environment.
3. The Presidents, welcoming the ratification of START-II Treaty and related documents by the Russian Federation, look
forward to the completion of the ratification process in the United States.
4. They announce that discussions will intensify on further reductions in the strategic forces of the United States and
Russia within the framework of a future START-III Treaty, and on ABM issues, in accordance with the Moscow Statement of
1998 and Cologne Statement of 1999 by the Presidents.
5. They agree on the essential contribution of the ABM Treaty to reductions in offensive forces, and reaffirm their
commitment to that Treaty as a cornerstone of strategic stability.
6. They agree that the international community faces a dangerous and growing threat of proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and their means of delivery, including missiles and missile technologies, and stress their desire to reverse
that process, including through existing and possible new international legal mechanisms. They agree that this new
threat represents a potentially significant change in the strategic situation and international security environment.
7. They agree that this emerging threat to security should be addressed and resolved through mutual cooperation and
mutual respect of each other's security interests.
8. They recall the existing provision of the ABM Treaty to consider possible changes in the strategic situation that
have a bearing on the provisions of the Treaty, and, as appropriate, to consider possible proposals for further
increasing the viability of the Treaty.
9. The Presidents reaffirm their commitment to continuing efforts to strengthen the ABM Treaty and to enhance its
viability and effectiveness in the future, taking into account any changes in the international security environment.
10. In reinforcing the effectiveness of the ABM Treaty under present and prospective conditions the United States of
America and the Russian Federation attach great importance to enhancing the viability of the Treaty through measures to
promote greater cooperation, openness, and trust between the sides.
11. The United States of America and the Russian Federation note the importance of the consultative process and reaffirm
their determination to continue consultations in the future to promote the objectives and implementation of the
provisions of the ABM Treaty.
12. The key provisions recorded in our agreements and statements, including at the highest level, create a basis for
both countries' activities regarding strategic arms under present-day conditions.
13. Such an approach creates confidence that the further strengthening of strategic stability and further reductions in
nuclear forces will be based on a foundation that has been tested over decades and advances both countries' interests
and security.
14. The Presidents have directed the development of concrete measures that would allow both sides to take necessary
steps to preserve strategic stability in the face of new threats, and called on their Ministers and experts to prepare a
report for review by the Presidents.
15. They agree that issues of strategic offensive arms cannot be considered in isolation from issues of strategic
defensive arms and vice versa -- an interrelationship that is reflected in the ABM Treaty and aims to ensure equally the
security of the two countries.
16. The United States of America and the Russian Federation intend to base their activities in the area of strategic
offensive and defensive arms on the principles set forth in this document.
###