Putin Pulls Out Of Nuclear Treaty With US, Sparking Cold War-Era Fears

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the suspension of Moscow's involvement in the New START Treaty, the only remaining major nuclear arms control agreement with the U.S., the Associated Press reported Tuesday. 

What Happened: Putin delivered the announcement during a state-of-the-nation address Tuesday, where he focused on what he said is Russia and Ukraine's victimhood at the hands of the West.

Despite condemning the military campaign, Putin emphasized that Russia would not back down from the fighting in Ukraine, raising concerns about a potential new Cold War.

Read also: Putin Targets US In Key Address To Russia's Parliament: 'People Of Ukraine Have Become Hostage'

Putin also said that Russia should be prepared to restart nuclear weapons testing if the U.S does so, which would effectively end the worldwide ban on such tests that has been in place since the Cold War era.

U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Russia's decision as "really unfortunate and very irresponsible."

Notably, Putin's speech coincided with a day of shelling by Russian forces in southern Ukrainian cities Kherson and Ochakiv, resulting in the deaths of six individuals.

Why It Matters: The Ukraine war has reinvigorated the NATO alliance — as well as the divide between Russia and the West, posing a significant threat to Putin's two-decade-long rule.

Media outlets from "unfriendly" nations were prohibited from attending Putin's speech, underscoring the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to suppress free speech and limit press freedoms, according to the AP.

Read next: Trump Touts 'Very Good Relationship' With Putin As Biden Tours War-Torn Ukraine

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