US National Security Adviser John Bolton’s resignation may improve the chances for the extension of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house, told TASS.

"The hope that the New START Treaty will be extended is alive as long as it is in force, i.e. till February 2021. And [after Bolton’s resignation] chances that the agreements could be reached in time and quite smoothly are at least in place or may even improve," Konstantin Kosachev said.

According to the Russian lawmaker, Bolton is a staunch advocate of tough approaches in the US policies.

"He has always been against agreements in the sphere of strategic stability and arms control obviously thinking that they lay too many restrictions on the United States not letting it demonstrate its superiority," he said. "I don’t know if that was the reason why [US President Donald] Trump has fired Bolton but I know that this is why I am not going to be sorry for his resignation," he added.

The US president said on Tuesday he had dismissed Bolton.

The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) was signed in 2010 and entered into force on February 5, 2011. The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years, until 2021. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (until 2026) under the parties’ mutual agreement.