Putin promises to strengthen Russia's nuclear forces

President Vladimir Putin said Russia would continue to pay close attention to building up its nuclear forces after announcing his decision to suspend the country's participation in an arms control treaty with the United States.

In a speech marking a national holiday on Wednesday, Putin pledged that his country would continue to equip its armed forces with advanced equipment. "We will continue to pay more attention to strengthening the nuclear triad," said the President.

According to Putin, this year would see the first deployment of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles - a weapon capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. "We will continue mass production of airborne hypersonic Kinzhal systems and begin mass delivery of sea-launched Zircon hypersonic missiles," he added.

The President announced on Tuesday that he would suspend Russia's membership of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States. The decision sparked concerns in Washington, with President Joe Biden calling the move a "huge mistake." His Foreign Minister Antony Blinken also called the decision "deeply unfortunate and irresponsible".

Blinken said Biden's administration remains ready "to discuss the nuclear arms deal with Russia at any time, regardless of what else is going on in the world." However, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the decision to suspend participation in the treaty was "reversible".

"Washington must show political will, diligently seek general de-escalation and create conditions for the full functioning of the treaty to resume and, accordingly, fully ensure its viability," it said. “The American side must do just that. Until then, our moves towards Washington under START are out of the question.”

The treaty, signed in 2010, limits the number of deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons that the world's two largest nuclear arsenals may have. It was last extended by five years in early 2021.