Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree, officially suspending Russia’s participation in the Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with the United States.
Russia announced it was suspending the treaty last month after the US said it would withdraw due to violations by Moscow. This accusation has been denied and Russia has accused Washington of breaking the accord itself, which has also been rejected.
Putin has ordered the treaty to be suspended until violations are been stopped by the US. He has told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform treaty participants to the accord of Russia’s move to suspend it.