Putin: Russia Suspends Participation In Strategic Arms Treaty

Putin on nuclear arms treaties and western objectives. Says that Russia 'suspends participation' in strategic nuclear arms treaty. Says that 'We do not withdraw from this, but suspend participation.' The withdrawal from New START treaty would mean nuclear inspectors from US would not be able to inspect Russian sites, and vice versa, removing a key element of transparency. Also means there are no restrictions on the number of warheads Russia could theoretically build up (whether it currently has the capacity to do so is debatable).

• States that 'We are not allowed to conduct inspections as part of arms treaties.' Says that 'the West declares its aim to inflict strategic defeat on Russia.' Putin: 'NATO seeks to be part of the nuclear arms control treaty...Western calls on Russia to allow inspections as part of arms treaties are absurd.'
• Putin: If the US will conduct nuclear tests, we will do the same.
• Putin: We know that some nuclear weapons in the US are nearing their expiration date.