Putin Announces Suspension of Participation in Nuclear Missile Treaty

Russia has suspended its participation in the Strategic and Offensive Arms Treaty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this in an address to the Federal Assembly, writes European Pravda.

"Not out, but exactly suspends," Putin said.

He also said the Russian Defense Ministry and Rosatom must ensure readiness for nuclear weapons tests.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in January that the New START treaty, the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty with the United States, could expire after 2026.

U.S.-Russian negotiations to resume inspections of the New START treaty, which expires in February 2026, were canceled at the last minute in November 2022. Neither side agreed on a time frame for new negotiations.

It should be noted that the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty, which was extended for five years in 2021, remains the only arms control treaty in force between Russia and the United States.

Signed in 2010 for 10 years, START-3 limits the strategic launchers and nuclear warheads of Russia and the United States to 700 and 1,550, respectively. The treaty can be prolonged for 5 years in case of goodwill of each signatory.

Author - Olena Madiak, 21/02/2023