Moscow, 21 February 2023 (GNP): In a state address on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would be suspending its participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the last nuclear non-proliferation accord it has with the United States.
The decision comes amidst rising tensions between Russia and the West, with Putin accusing the US and its allies of escalating the war against Ukraine by providing weapons to the country. During his address, Putin warned that increased military aid to Ukraine would prompt a tougher response from Russia. He said, “One circumstance should be clear to everyone—the more long-range Western systems will come to Ukraine, the further we will be forced to push the threat away from our borders.”
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The move to suspend the START treaty marks a significant escalation in the already tense relations between Russia and the US. The treaty, which was signed in 2010, aimed to limit the number of nuclear weapons held by both countries and was seen as a cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament efforts.
The statement followed the Munich Security Conference, where NATO and the US criticized Russia and showed their support for Ukraine. The decision also follows President Biden’s surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday, which was meant as a show of solidarity and unity of Western allies behind Ukraine. Putin skipped a similar speech to lawmakers last year, and this marks his first public comments on the matter.
The suspension of the START treaty is likely to be met with concern by the international community, as it raises the risk of a nuclear arms race between the two superpowers. The US has not yet responded to Putin’s announcement, but many experts have warned that this move could have serious consequences for global security.