Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday, February 21, 2023, that Moscow was suspending its participation in the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) — the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States — sharply upping the ante amid tensions with Washington over the fighting in Ukraine. Speaking in his state of the nation address, Putin also said that Russia should stand ready to resume nuclear weapons tests if the U.S. does so, a move that would end a global ban on nuclear weapons tests in place since Cold War times.
In 2010, the START treaty was signed by the United States and Russia, which have been the world’s two largest nuclear powers. The treaty limits the number of long-range nuclear warheads they can deploy to 1,550 and the use of missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. It enables mutual inspections of nuclear bases and support facilities on short notice.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ambassadors have stated that Russia has failed to comply with the new obligations of the treaty. According to the delegates, Russia’s refusal to hold consultations or allow U.S. inspections since last August “prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the Treaty, and undermines the United States’ ability to adequately verify Russian compliance with the Treaty’s central limits.”
A deep concern with Russia breaking away from the treaty is increasing tensions with Ukraine. Since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. has felt strains.
With Russia’s suspension of the treaty, a new relationship has formed with China, a growing nuclear power. On Wednesday, China and Russia were seen together expanding into the African continent through the practice of military exercises. Some security analysts argue that by hosting the military exercises, South Africa is giving Russia a platform to demonstrate its military might as it fights a brutal war that has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians.
This exercise has raised alarm among Western governments as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears. Earlier in the year, it was announced the Zircon missile would be launched but Captain Oleg Gladkiy, who is head of the Russian contingent, said during a media briefing that the test launch would no longer take place.
Russia’s suspension from the treaty would initiate a breaking of future treaties, ultimately stopping them from being as effective.
