The New START Nuclear arms treaty signed in 2010 limits the number of strategic warheads they can deploy. Read to know more.
What is the New START Nuclear arms treaty?
The New START Nuclear arms treaty signed by Dmitry Medvedev and then US President Barak Obama caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the US and Russia can deploy. It first came into force in 2011 and in 2021, extended to five more years. However, inspections came to a halt in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 health pandemic. Moreover, the talks between the two nations on resuming the inspections were due in Egypt in November. Unfortunately, Russia postponed it and neither nations set a new date.
Russia’s threat to pull out
Earlier this month, Moscow expressed its wish of preserving the treaty despite calling the US’ move a destructive approach to controlling arms. The US and Russia together account for almost 90 percent of all nuclear warheads in the world. Previously, both nations have stressed the need to avoid a war between nuclear powers. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing the nations for confrontations. The US is also accusing Russia of violating the nuclear arms treaty. It believes Moscow is refusing and postponing insections for the same reason.
On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin stated Russia is suspending its participation. He is also accusing the West of direct involvement in trying to strike Russia’s strategic bases. “I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty,” stated Putin.
