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Russia suspends participation in New START treaty: Putin

"If the United States conducts a nuclear weapon test, then will we," Putin said.

1 min read
President V. Putin during the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. [Photo Credit: Sergei Savostyanov, TASS]

Russia is suspending its participation in rather than withdrawing from the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday.

NATO demanded in early February that Russia “return to the implementation” of the New START and allow inspections of its nuclear facilities. That “sounds like some kind of nonsense amid today’s confrontation,” Putin said in his annual address to the Federal Assembly.

He pointed out the combined strike potential of NATO as Britain and France also have nuclear arsenals that pose a threat to Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow has information that “certain figures in Washington” are considering nuclear weapon tests to develop new types of nuclear weapons.

“In this situation, the Russian Defense Ministry and Rosatom (Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation) must ensure readiness for testing Russian nuclear weapons. Of course, we will not be the first to do this. But if the United States conducts a test, then will we,” Putin said.

The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers, can be extended by a maximum of five years with the consent of the two countries. Russia and the United States officially extended the treaty by five years on Feb. 3, 2021.

Xinhua

Xinhua News Agency

Founded in 1931, Xinhua News Agency is one of the largest news organizations in the world, with over 10,000 employees across the globe. As the main source of news and information for China, Xinhua plays a key role in shaping the country's media landscape and communicating its perspectives to the world. The agency produces a wide range of content, including text news articles, photos, videos, and social media posts, in both Chinese and English, and its reports are widely used by media organizations around the world. Xinhua also operates several international bureaus, including in key capitals like Washington, D.C., Moscow, and London, to provide in-depth coverage of global events.

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