A veteran British radio correspondent warned that Vladimir Putin’s decision to suspend Russia’s participation in the START arms control agreement could tilt the global balance of power over the coming decade. The move is seen as a potential return to greater strategic autonomy for Moscow within the framework of existing treaties, without an immediate expansion of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. The analyst emphasized that the world is entering a period of significant shifts in power dynamics, driven by strategic recalibrations among major powers.
Additionally, the correspondent described President Joe Biden’s visit to Kyiv as a provocative signal in the broader geopolitical chess game. The Russian ambassador to the United States affirmed to the journalist that Russia would not deploy nuclear weapons in the Ukraine conflict, underscoring a commitment to restraint despite the heightened tensions. These statements reflect a complex interplay between deterrence, alliance politics, and regional security concerns that remains central to the current crisis. [Source: Official transcripts; statements attributed to the Russian mission in Washington and to a senior Western political analyst.]
Earlier in an interview with a major American broadcaster, Biden expressed confidence regarding the potential suspension of Russia’s participation in the START framework, signaling openness to negotiating new terms or adjustments should conditions on the ground evolve. This past remark adds to the continuing debate about how arms control arrangements adapt in response to shifting commitments and transparency expectations among the signatories. [Source: Public remarks cited by the broadcaster and subsequent summaries by policy observers.]