Putin signs laws on suspending New START, treaties with CoE

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Feb 21:44

Russian President Vladimir Putin said a week ago, before the Federal Assembly, that Russia was suspending participation in the New START, stressing that this did not imply a withdrawal on Russia's part from the treaty.

© Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office

Russia's legal information portal published today a copy of the Presidential bill calling for the suspension of Russia's engagement in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), and signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On February 21, Putin said before the Federal Assembly that Russia was suspending participation in the New START, stressing that this did not imply a withdrawal on Russia's part from the treaty.

"It is provided that Russia suspends the operation of the Treaty between Russia and the United States on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed in Prague on April 8, 2010," the explanatory note read.

The document added that the law will come into full force once its publication is made official and that the decision on the resumption of Russia's participation will be made solely by the head of State.

NEW: Putin signs law suspending last major nuclear arms reduction treaty between Russia and US, lifting restrictions on developing new offensive nuclear weapons.

普京签署法律，暂停俄罗斯和美国之间的最后一项主要核武器削减条约，解除对发展新型进攻性核武器的限制。 pic.twitter.com/0WoAm8liEN
— Danny老皮匠 (@Jzzrb123) February 28, 2023

Putin further signed a bill to terminate international treaties pertaining to Russia's relations with the Council of Europe. The law particularly concerns the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, and the Charter of the Council of Europe, according to the document.

"In connection with the termination of the membership of the Russian Federation in the Council of Europe, from March 16, 2022, the following international treaties shall be considered terminated in relation to the Russian Federation: the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of November 4, 1950," the document states.

Among the terminated protocols include the European Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism of January 27, 1997, the Charter of the Council of Europe of May 5, 1949, the General Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe of September 2, 1949, and the European Social Charter (revised) of May 3, 1996, and an additional ten other protocols.