New START and Missile Defense
Setting the Record Straight
Allegation: Russia will withdraw from the treaty if the U.S. increases its missile defense capabilities, as they declared in their unilateral statement. Therefore, New START limits U.S. missile defense.
Truth: Prior to the signing of New START, the U.S. and Russia released unilateral statements pertaining to missile defense.12 Russia stated that “a build-up in [U.S.] missile defense system capabilities” may be grounds for Russian withdrawal from the treaty. The U.S. stated that, regardless, it will “continue improving and deploying its missile defense systems.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates affirmed this U.S. position when he testified that “the United States will continue to improve our capability to defend ourselves, our deployed forces, and our allies and partners against ballistic missile threats…We have made all this clear to the Russians.”13 These unilateral statements are just that – independent opinions that reflect each country’s view on the subject. They are not legally binding nor are they part of the treaty itself. The Soviet Union made a similar unilateral statement when signing START I, threatening to withdraw from START I if the U.S. pulled out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. Although the U.S. announced its withdrawal from the ABM Treaty in 2001, Russia remained a Party to START I. Clearly, unilateral statements cannot be counted on as reliable predictors of behavior or future obligations.
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http://americansecurityproject.org/...-on-New-START-and-Missile-Defense-FINAL-3.pdf
I hope this helps clear up misconceptions
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