Russia’s President said his nation is ready to resume nuclear weapons testing

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suspended a bilateral nuclear control treaty with the U.S.

Mr Putin was speaking at a nationwide address as Moscow prepares to mark one year since its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

However, Ukraine and NATO allies have described the war as unlawful, and placed sanctions on Moscow for its “invasion”.

“I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty,” Mr Putin told his country’s political leaders.

“But if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed.”

“A week ago, I signed a decree on putting new ground-based strategic systems on combat duty. Are they going to stick their nose in there too, or what? And they think that everything is so simple?” he said.

The Treaty is the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the U.S.

However, he stopped short of withdrawing from it. Instead, he blamed the U.S. and the West for provoking the war.

“It’s they who have started the war. And we are using force to end it,” he said.