Biden: I don’t think Putin is thinking about using nuclear weapons

US President Joe Biden commented on Russia’s suspension of participation in the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START). The head of the White House does not think that this indicates Moscow’s desire to use nuclear weapons.

“This is a big mistake. Not very responsible. But I do not think that he (Russian President Vladimir Putin.— “b”) is thinking about using nuclear weapons or something like that,” Mr. Biden told TV channel ABC.

The President noted that he and his team do not see that Russia’s decision on START “in some way means that they are thinking about using nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles – there are no signs of this.” According to the American president, Russia and the United States are “in a position to solve” the problem with the Treaty.

Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of Russia’s participation in the START during his address to the Federal Assembly on February 21. The next day, the decision was approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Moscow would continue to comply with the quantitative restrictions stipulated by the START Treaty. The United States stated that they see no reason to change the readiness of nuclear forces after Russia’s decision.

For more information about the suspension of participation in the New START Treaty, see Kommersant’s article “Nuclear Treaty Suspended Without Objection.”

Leonid Uvarchev