Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday that Moscow had suspended its participation in New START – last The rest of the nuclear arms control agreement with United States – A sharp escalation of the stakes in the midst of tensions with Washington over Fighting in Ukraine.
to talk in his country-ofAddress to the nation, Putin also He said that Russia should Standing ready to resume nuclear weapons testing if the United States does so, prof move would end a global ban on Nuclear weapons tests in place since the cold war times.
explain to him decision For suspending Russia’s obligations under the New START treaty, Putin accused the United States and its NATO allies of Explicit declaration of goal of Defeat Russia in Ukraine.
“they want to inflict a “strategic defeat” on us We are trying to reach our nuclear facilities at the same time.”
Putin argued that while the United States pressed for appeal of Searching operations of Russia’s nuclear facilities Under the treaty, NATO allies have helped Ukraine launch drone attacks on Russian air Bases hosting strategic bombers with nuclear capabilities.
The drones used for He was equipped and updated with “Help NATO experts,” Putin said, and now they are want to lose defense amenities? in conditions of confrontation today sounds like Complete nonsense.”
Putin confirmed that Russia was suspending its participation in New START has not yet fully withdrawn from the agreement.
Signing of the New START Treaty in 2010 by US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, restricting each country to no more More than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. The agreement provides for sweeping onOn-site inspection to verify compliance.
Just days before the treaty expires in In February 2021, Russia and the United States agreed to extend it for Five more years.
Russia and the United States have suspended mutual inspections under the New START treaty since start of COVID-19 pandemic, but Moscow last Fall refused allow Its appeal, adding to the uncertainty about the agreement future.
Russia also indefinitely postponed a plan round of Consultations under the Treaty.
NATO regrets decision
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg criticized Russia for Suspension of the Treaty on the Reduction of Nuclear Weapons with United States, saying it marked the end of Europe postCold War weapons control engineering.
“I regret today decision by Russia to suspend its participation in New START treaty news conspiracy.
“Over the last Years, Russia violated and turned away from key Arms control agreements. with today decision on New START arms control structure has been completely dismantled.
