After the planned suspension of the last nuclear disarmament treaty with the US, Russia warned of a nuclear confrontation with the West. “If the United States wants Russia to be defeated, then we have the right to defend ourselves with any weapon, including nuclear weapons,” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s National Security Council, wrote on Telegram on Wednesday. The world would then be on the brink of global conflict, the ex-Kremlin chief warned.
In his speech to the nation on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin said Russia cannot be defeated. He announced the suspension of the “New Start” treaty with the US on nuclear arms control and warhead limitation. Medvedev said the decision was a result of the US and other NATO countries declaring war on Russia. Western states have not declared war on Russia and have repeatedly emphasized that they do not want to become a war party in Ukraine. Russia invaded the neighboring country on February 24, 2022.
Moscow is threatening a new nuclear arms race like in the Cold War
Russia had repeatedly warned of a new nuclear arms race, as in the Cold War, should “New Start” end. Putin stressed that it is currently a suspension and not a termination of the contract, which will run until 2026. The suspension decision has yet to be formally approved by the State Duma and signed by Putin.
Ex-President Medvedev has now warned of far-reaching consequences for the world if Russia pulls out of the agreement. At the same time, he said that the previous agreements between the two largest nuclear powers, Russia and the US, did not take into account the warheads of NATO countries France and Britain. But it is high time to do so, Medvedev stressed. Putin had also asked for this in his speech the day before.
The New Start Treaty severely limited nuclear arsenals
The “New Start” treaty limits both countries’ nuclear arsenals to 800 delivery systems and 1,550 operational warheads each. In addition, arrangements have been made for Washington and Moscow to exchange information on their strategic nuclear arsenals and conduct up to 18 verification visits per year.
Source: Krone
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