Putin suspends Russia’s role in START nuclear treaty | USA TODAY

Vladimir Putin announced Russia will pull back from a nuclear treaty, ratcheting up tensions with the U.S. after Biden’s visit to Ukraine.

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Putin’s speech came on the heels of a surprise and historic visit by Biden to Kyiv. Biden was scheduled to deliver an address from Poland on his view of Russia’s war in Ukraine as the conflict approaches the one-year mark.

In his nearly two-hour speech to both houses of the Russian Parliament, Putin said he was suspending Moscow’s participation in New START – a strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia.

Putin said this action was being taken because of the U.S. and NATO, without specifying more. “In this regard, I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty,” he said.

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