Russia suspends its participation in key nuclear arms treaty a day after U.S. President Biden makes surprise visit to Kyiv
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of trying to destroy his country and said that Russia would suspend its participation in a key nuclear arms treaty that has been in place since the end of the Cold War.
Mr. Putin specified that his country was not withdrawing from the pact, but “putting it on hold.” The announcement came at the culmination of an almost two-hour-long address heavy with vitriol towards the West and complaints about its military support for Ukraine. Mr. Putin acknowledged that he was speaking at “a difficult, watershed moment for our country,” but noted that the Russian economy – despite unprecedented Western sanctions – had fared much better than experts had predicted.
Withdrawal from New START will further escalate the already dangerously high tensions between Russia and the West. The move serves as a blunt reminder – at a time when the Russian army appears bogged down in its attempt to seize more Ukrainian territory – that the Kremlin still possesses its massive nuclear arsenal.
But Mr. Putin’s speech also inadvertently highlighted how poorly his invasion has gone. The first Russian troops crossed into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, expecting to swiftly overwhelm the smaller Ukrainian military and capture Kyiv. Instead, Ukrainian forces staged a successful defence of their capital before launching a series of successful counteroffensives.U.S.
Speaking to journalists in Warsaw, where Mr. Biden will give a speech later today, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan dismissed Mr. Putin’s argument that the West encouraged the war.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Putin says West wants global war against RussiaRussian president says defeating Russia is impossible, and Moscow will never give up
Read more »
Putin not backing down on Ukraine, insists West is at faultRussian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries Tuesday of igniting and sustaining the war in Ukraine, dismissing any blame for Moscow almost a year after the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of its neighbour that has killed tens of thousands of people.
Read more »
Putin blames the West for starting war in Ukraine in his state-of-union speechU.S. President Joe Biden plans to give his own speech Tuesday in Poland, where he\u0027s expected to highlight the commitment of the West to Ukraine over the past…
Read more »
Putin chides West, defends Ukraine invasion in major speechRussian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries Tuesday of igniting and sustaining the war in Ukraine, dismissing any blame for Moscow almost a year after the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of its neighbor that has killed tens of thousands of people.
Read more »
Putin chides West, defends Ukraine invasion in major speechIn his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin cast Russia — and Ukraine — as victims of Western double-dealing and said Russia, not Ukraine, was the one fighting for its very existence.
Read more »
Putin chides West, defends Ukraine invasion in major speechRussian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries Tuesday of igniting and sustaining the war in Ukraine, dismissing any blame for Moscow almost a year after the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of its neighbour that has killed tens of thousands of people.
Read more »