Biden Criticizes Putin’s Suspension of Nuclear Arms Treaty Involvement as ‘Big Mistake’
Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in a landmark nuclear arms control treaty has been deemed a “huge error” by US Vice President Joe Biden.
Wednesday’s remarks came as he met with leaders of NATO’s eastern flank to express support for their security.
Biden Criticizes Putin’s Suspension of Nuclear Arms Treaty Involvement as ‘Big Mistake’. Mr. Biden arrived in the Polish capital of Warsaw late on Monday, following an unannounced visit to Kyiv just days before the 24th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the tensest period between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago, Vice President Biden addressed thousands of people in Warsaw on Tuesday, stating that “autocrats” like Russian President Vladimir Putin must be opposed.
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Earlier in the day, Putin delivered lengthy criticisms of Western powers, blaming them for the Ukraine conflict. Mr. Biden stated that the West never intended to attack Russia and that Putin initiated the invasion.
Putin also withdrew from the 2010 New START arms control treaty, which limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads by Russia and the United States, and warned that Moscow could resume nuclear tests.
As he approached the meeting with eastern European allies, Mr. Biden said of Putin’s decision, “It is a grave error.”
Mr. Biden met with US Embassy personnel in Warsaw earlier on Wednesday before convening with the leaders of the Bucharest Nine – the countries on NATO’s eastern flank including Poland, Bulgaria, and Lithuania that joined the Western military alliance after being dominated by Moscow during the Cold War.
Most are among the most ardent supporters of military aid to Ukraine, and officials from countries within the group have demanded additional resources, such as air defense systems.
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At the beginning of the meeting, Vice President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to their security.
“As the eastern flank of NATO, you are at the forefront of our collective defense,” he stated.
“You are more aware than anyone else of the stakes in this conflict. Not only for Ukraine but also for the freedom of democracies across Europe and the globe.”
He plans to discuss Ukraine support before returning to Washington.
According to the Kremlin, the expansion of NATO to Sweden and Finland poses an existential threat to Russia.
At the meeting on Wednesday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated that the West should be united in its support for Ukraine. “We must continue to deliver on our commitments to support Ukraine for as long as it is required to win this war,” he said.
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