Putin Announces Suspension of New START Treaty Participation, Threatening Global Arms Control Framework

In February 2023, during his State of the Nation address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would suspend its participation in the New START Treaty. This treaty was the last remaining nuclear arms limitation pact between Russia and the U.S., designed to cap the number of deployed nuclear warheads and allow for mutual verification. Putin accused the U.S. and its allies of seeking to defeat Russia while simultaneously pursuing nuclear reductions, making the treaty untenable for Russia.

Although Russia insisted it was not withdrawing entirely, the suspension of participation sparked severe international concern over the potential collapse of the global nuclear arms control system. For conservatives, the move was another example of the unpredictability and adventurism inherent in Russia's foreign policy, demonstrating the authoritarian state's disregard for international commitments and increasing the risk of strategic miscalculation between the West and Russia.