Russia cancels U.S. inspections of nuclear weapons.
On Monday, Russia announced a freeze on U.S. inspections of its nuclear arsenals, claiming that Western sanctions have hampered similar tours of U.S. facilities by Russian monitors. Since 2010, the United States and the Russian Federation have performed on-site inspections of each other’s nuclear weapons under the New START Treaty. The inspections are part of the tools used to maintain a neutral stance between the superpowers.
Although the Kremlin described the suspension as “temporary,” they are using the freeze to encourage America to lift sanctions that have been placed against them. This move reflects escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. It is the first time the Kremlin has halted U.S. inspections under the arms control treaty.
In the past weeks and on a nearly weekly basis since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made suggestions that he might deploy nuclear weapons, but his rhetoric has been interpreted by the West as “bluster.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for the president and his advisors as they consider the actions of Russia.
- For Secretary Blinken as he interacts with the heads of allied nations as well as leaders in hostile countries.
- For Secretary Austin as he assesses the U.S. Armed Forces needs and military readiness.
Sources: Reuters, AP, Star
