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NATO Secretary General condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to suspend the New START nuclear weapons reduction treaty. Photo/REUTERS
WARSAW – President Russia Vladimir Putin has decided that his country is suspending the nuclear weapons reduction treaty, New START . NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg condemned the decision.
The New START treaty is the only remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States (US) and Russia.
“I ask Russia today to reconsider its decision to suspend participation in the New START treaty,” Stoltenberg said.
“More nuclear weapons and less arms control makes the world more dangerous,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a rules-based world order.
Also read: Putin Delays Nuclear Deal, Biden: Big Mistake
Stoltenberg also responded to Putin’s accusations that the West was provoking and escalating war in Ukraine, saying: “No one is attacking Russia. Russia is the aggressor.”
US President Joe Biden has commented briefly on Putin’s decision. The announcement was made in Warsaw ahead of a meeting with leaders of several countries on the eastern wing of NATO to discuss support for war-torn Ukraine.
When a journalist asked him for his response to Putin’s decision, Joe Biden initially jokingly said he didn’t “have time”.
Then, after a pause, he said: “That was a big mistake”.
The New START treaty mandates Washington and Moscow to limit their stockpile of nuclear warheads.
Following Vladimir Putin’s announcement made in his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Russia’s Parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved the suspension of Moscow’s participation in the agreement.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it would remain in compliance with the agreement until it expires in early 2026.
“Russia’s decision to suspend the agreement is reversible – but Washington must show political will,” the ministry said, as quoted by AFP, Thursday (23/2/2023).
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s decision “unfortunate and irresponsible” but said Washington was still willing to talk about the matter.
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