On Feb. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Moscow’s unilateral suspension of its involvement in the New START nuclear treaty with the United States. Putin clarified that Russia is not withdrawing from the agreement, but rather suspending its participation in it. The treaty, which was signed in 2010 and took effect in 2011, is designed to limit the nuclear arsenals of both countries. Last year, shortly after Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration, the treaty was extended by five years.
In his speech, which was delivered in Moscow before both houses of Russia’s parliament, Putin also addressed a range of issues related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He argued that Moscow’s “special military operation” was a legitimate response to threats from the West and the “Kyiv regime.” Other topics covered in the address included NATO expansion, Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions, and the impact of western-led sanctions on the Russian economy. The U.S. State Department has yet to comment on Putin’s announcement.