Putin Announces Suspension of Last Remaining U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Agreement, Threatens Nuclear Testing

In a speech on February 21, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is suspending its participation in the U.S. and Russia’s last remaining nuclear arms agreement, known as New START. Putin blamed the U.S. for the deteriorating relations between the two countries.

At the same time, U.S. and British forces are training Ukrainian forces in advanced weaponry, such as artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, fighter jets, and Challenger 2 tanks. Ukraine is preparing for a potential push to retake territory in the east and south, and has spent the winter months training its military in advanced weaponry.

Russia has also mobilized hundreds of thousands of conscripts, prisoners-turned-mercenaries, and other troops in a bid to replenish its military force, which has been severely depleted by a year of war. Putin threatened to resume nuclear testing if the U.S. does not agree to his terms.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused renewed nuclear tensions between the two countries, and has put a halt to decades of progress on limiting the buildup of nuclear weapons. The U.S. and other countries have condemned Russia’s actions and have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.