The New START pact, first signed in April 2010, prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing more than 1,550 nuclear warheads on delivery systems.
Putin Suspends New START Nuclear Treaty, Puts Missiles On Combat Readiness https://t.co/yP3pwLTxr1
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) February 21, 2023
President Vladimir Putin today announced that Russia will suspend its observation of the New START nuclear weapons treaty, the last Accord with the US limiting strategic arsenals. He also demanded that the US withdraw “NATO soldiers and equipment” from Ukraine.
“I have to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Let me say it again — [Russia] does not withdraw from the treaty, namely suspends its participation. But before returning to its discussion, we need to understand what countries such as France and the United Kingdom consider to be as their strategic arsenals, and how we will take them into account, that is, the combined strike potential of the [North Atlantic] Alliance,”
Putin – State of the Nation Address Feb. 21 2023
Putin also warned Washington that Russia had put new ground-based strategic nuclear weapons on combat duty.
Russia won’t allow the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to inspect its nuclear facilities, though it won’t be the first to resume testing of its atomic weapons.
The treaty that was extended in 2021 is due to expire in 2026.
(Bloomberg Reuters Visegrad24)