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Russia to consider all NATO’s nuclear arsenals as alliance wishes its defeat, says Putin

26 February 2023 15:01 (UTC +04:00)

Russia should take into account the nuclear potential of not only the US, but all other NATO countries as well, as the alliance considers Moscow’s strategic defeat its key goal, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview for the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel aired on Sunday when commenting on the suspension of Russia's participation in the New START treaty, APA reports.

"Amid today’s conditions, as all leading NATO countries have announced our strategic defeat as their key goal for making our people suffer as they put it, <…> how cannot we consider their nuclear potential amid this environment?" he said when answering questions by journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Officially NATO is not a party to the treaty as it was signed by Moscow and Washington, Putin noted, adding that now the North Atlantic alliance has announced its wish to become a party "at the Americans’ instigation".

Asked whether Moscow considers it necessary to take into account the nuclear arsenals of the UK and France in the treaty in the future, the Russian leader said: "Of course".

Russian President said in his annual address to the Federal Assembly on February 21 that Russia was suspending its participation in the New START treaty but was not withdrawing from it.