Putin said in Moscow that Russia was not fully withdrawing from the treaty — the last remaining arms control agreement it had with the United States — but was suspending its participation in the pact, which limits the number of intercontinental-range nuclear weapons the nations could hold.

Putin stated, “No one should believe that global strategic parity could be broken.”

The treaty was extended for five years by Russia and the United States in 2021. However, inspections of Russia’s nuclear weapons have not been conducted by the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kremlin stopped inspections on site in August, citing U.S. support of Ukraine. However, they were scheduled to resume in November.

State Department officials stated that Russia had not been adhering to the treaty’s obligations in early February.

The Kremlin’s Foreign Ministry issued a long statement to justify Putin’s decision. It blamed the United States for not fulfilling its obligations under the treaty, escalating conflict in Ukraine and following a policy that undermines Russia’s national security.

It stated that it was impossible to do business with the United States or the West in such an environment — both in principle as well as in the field of arms control which is inseparable from geopolitical, military-strategic realities.

Russia’s decision can be reversed, it stated, provided that the United States shows “political willingness, make good faith attempts to de-escalate, create conditions for full resumption and ensure its viability.”

The treaty was suspended but the ministry stated that Russia would not exceed its limit for nuclear weapons deployment and would exchange notifications with the United States about intercontinental missile launches.

The Federation of American Scientists says that Russia and the United States jointly possess 90% of the world’s nuclear arsenal. Moscow has nearly 6,000, while Washington has a little over 5,420, as it seeks decrease its stockpile.

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, stated to reporters that Russia’s decision was “deeply unfortunate and irresponsible”, and that they are “watching closely to see what Russia does.”

He said, “Of course we remain ready to discuss strategic arms limitations at all times with Russia regardless of what else is going on in the world and in our relationship.”

Putin addressed Russia’s Federal Assembly and described Ukraine as “historically Russian land”. He accused Ukraine’s Western allies of trying to seize the Donbas, which includes the Luhansk-Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine.

Putin stated in his speech that the elite of West doesn’t hide their ambitions to defeat Russia strategically. What does this mean? It is to end yourself once and for all.

“They do this by turning local conflicts into larger and more complex ones.”

Putin repeatedly claimed that Russia invaded Ukraine in order to defend its country, and that the Kremlin did everything possible to stop it. He blamed the West, saying that it turned away from “terrorist activity” in eastern Ukraine and its supporters.

Putin stated, “I want to reiterate: It was them who unleashed war.” “And we used, and continue to use force in order to stop it.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his address just one day after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visited Kyiv to meet with Volomydyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, and to pledge additional support to Ukraine.

During his speech, Putin accused Ukraine’s government of being under the protection “Western masters” instead of serving the interests of its citizens.

Putin stated that the Kyiv regime and its Western masters had completely overthrown the economy of Ukraine. They have decimated the Ukrainian economy and industry. They are responsible for the escalation in the Ukraine situation… and for the large number of casualties.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg rejected Putin’s description of the conflict in a press conference Tuesday. He said that it was Putin who “started this imperial war for conquest”.

“Nobody is attacking Russia. Russia is the aggressor. He said that Ukraine was the victim of aggression during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where he spoke with Josep Borrell, European Union High Representative for External Affairs and Security Policy, and Dmytro Kuleba (Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister)

February 24th was the start of war when Kremlin forces invaded Ukraine, with support from Belarus. Stoltenberg stated Tuesday that Putin had made it clear in his speech Tuesday that he is ready to escalate conflict.

Russia’s suspension from New START means that the entire International arms control structure has been “dismantled” he stated. This, combined with the cessation or previous agreements, makes the world “more dangerous.”

The European Union issued a statement as well, saying that it regretted Putin’s decision not to suspend the pact. It is a vital contribution to international security and was deemed by 27 nations to be a “critical contribution”.