Putin explains suspension of Russia's participation in New START

Putin said this in an interview with one of Russia's propaganda TV channels.  

According to him, the suspension of participation in New START is related to the need to ensure security in conditions when “the NATO bloc has declared its goal to strategically defeat Russia.” He added that in such circumstances, it is also necessary to take into account the nuclear capabilities of all NATO countries, not just the United States, which was a party to the agreement.

“We need to preserve our country, guarantee security and strategic stability. In today's conditions, when all the leading NATO countries have declared their main goal to inflict a strategic defeat on us, to make our people suffer, as they say. How can we not take into account their nuclear capabilities in these circumstances,” Putin said.

Another reason was the supply of weapons to Ukraine by NATO countries.

“When they are doing what they are doing in Ukraine today, I simply cannot imagine that American military personnel will roam around our nuclear facilities. It's just ridiculous,” Putin said.

• On January 21, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was suspending its participation in New START. 

• On February 22, the Russian State Duma supported Putin's decision to suspend Russia's participation in New START.