Putin Suspends Last Nuclear Arms Treaty with U.S.

乍看上去

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill suspending the last remaining nuclear arms treaty with the United States.
• Moscow will still respect the caps on nuclear weapons set under the treaty and keep notifying the U.S. about test launches of ballistic missiles.
• U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Bonnie Jenkins has criticized Russia for suspending its participation in the treaty.
• Inspections have been dormant since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The suspension of the New START treaty has raised concerns about the future of nuclear arms control.

细节

Russian President Signs Bill Suspending Nuclear Arms Treaty

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill formally suspending the last remaining nuclear arms treaty with the United States.

The bill was ratified by both houses of parliament last week, and states that it is up to the president to decide whether Moscow could return to the pact.

Despite the suspension, Moscow will still respect the caps on nuclear weapons set under the treaty and keep notifying the U.S. about test launches of ballistic missiles.

U.S. Criticizes Russia for Suspension

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Bonnie Jenkins has criticized Russia for suspending its participation in the treaty, but noted that Washington will try to work with Moscow to continue its implementation.

The New START treaty limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.

The agreement also envisages sweeping on-site inspections to verify compliance.

Inspections Halted Due to COVID-19

Inspections have been dormant since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussions on resuming them were supposed to have taken place last November, but Russia abruptly called them off.

Future of Nuclear Arms Control in Question

The suspension of the New START treaty has raised concerns about the future of nuclear arms control.

With the treaty now suspended, the U.S. and Russia will no longer be able to conduct on-site inspections to verify compliance.

This could lead to an increase in nuclear weapons and a greater risk of nuclear conflict.