OUR France call her today Russia “show responsibility and reconsider as soon as possible” its decision to participate in the Russian-American START-3 treaty to limit strategic nuclear arsenals.

Paris “reminds that New START is a key tool in the international architecture of nuclear arms control and strategic stability,” State Department spokeswoman Anne-Clair Legendre said.

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country was suspending its participation in the deal and also said he was ready to resume nuclear testing.

The spokeswoman recalled that France, like other NATO allies, had already expressed concern on February 3 about the continuation of this treaty, since Russia was not fulfilling its obligations.

Paris also considers the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which Russia has signed and ratified, to be very important and expects Russia to comply with a moratorium on nuclear testing until it comes into force.

Messages also from USA, Germany

For her part, German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock said Putin’s decision to withdraw Russia from the new nuclear arms control treaty undermines denuclearization efforts.

Speaking during a visit to the area of ​​Turkey hit by the recent earthquake, Bourbock also said that the international community has repeatedly urged the Russian president not to resort to nuclear threats as part of his standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine.

In addition, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called Russia’s decision on New START “extremely disappointing and irresponsible”, assuring that Washington remains “ready to discuss” with Moscow the issue of strategic nuclear weapons.

“We remain ready to talk with Russia about strategic arms limitation at any time, regardless of what else is happening in the world or in our relations,” he said.

The world expects the two major nuclear powers to act responsibly, the US Secretary of State added.

^{According to APE – MEB, AFP, Reuters}