Russian lawmakers are to decide on the move on Wednesday, the State Duma speaker says
Russian President Vladimir Putin has introduced a bill on suspending the New START Treaty – the last existing nuclear accord between Moscow and Washington – State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin told reporters on Tuesday. Putin announced the initiative earlier in the day, during his annual address to the lawmakers.
The president explained his decision by saying that the treaty was a legacy of the times when Moscow and Washington did not perceive each other as adversaries. He also accused the US of seeking a global hegemony and NATO of a desire to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.
“The bill introduced by the president would be reviewed tomorrow at a plenary session,” Volodin said, adding that the lawmakers “would take a decision on it without delay.” If adopted by the State Duma, the bill would then have to be approved by the upper chamber of the…
