Putin Threatens to Suspend Nuclear Arms Control Treaty with the US

In the State of the Nation Address, "If the US Conducts Nuclear Tests, We Will Too"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the 21st (local time) the suspension of participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), a nuclear weapons control agreement signed with the United States.

Signed by the two countries in 2010, New START focuses on reducing the number of nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles to a certain limit and conducting regular inspections of each other's nuclear facilities.

According to foreign media including TASS, President Putin stated in a state address at the Gostiny Dvor exhibition hall in Moscow on the same day, "No one should fall into the illusion that they can disrupt the global strategic balance," and declared, "Russia is suspending its participation in New START." He added, "Russia has not been allowed inspections under the treaty," and argued, "It is unreasonable for the West to demand that Russia allow inspections."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also said, "If the United States conducts nuclear tests, we will do the same," and instructed, "The Ministry of Defense and Rosatom (the state nuclear energy corporation) must prepare for this."

However, President Putin explained that this decision is a suspension of participation, not a withdrawal from the treaty. He also set the condition for resuming control over nuclear weapons not only with the United States but also with the United Kingdom and France. He said, "Before Russia returns to New START discussions, it must first understand how to consider the nuclear arsenals of France and the United Kingdom."

Meanwhile, the New START treaty, after one extension, remains valid until February 2026. However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, negotiations for a further extension have stalled. The two countries were scheduled to hold a meeting at the end of November last year to discuss treaty implementation, but Russia notified a postponement the day before the meeting, and related talks have not continued since.