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Russia’s spy chief says suspension of New START treaty participation unexpected for West

"For them (western countries - TASS) it is unexpected, but I think [suspension of Russia’s participation in the New START treaty] is an absolutely reasoned, firm and correct decision," he said

Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. The decision on suspension of Russia’s participation in the New START treaty was unexpected for the West, though it is an absolutely reasoned and correct step, Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin said in a commentary for the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel aired on Sunday.

"For them (western countries - TASS) it is unexpected, but I think [suspension of Russia’s participation in the New START treaty] is an absolutely reasoned, firm and correct decision," he said when answering a question by journalist Pavel Zarubin.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the Federal Assembly that Moscow would suspend its participation in the New START treaty, which was signed by Russia and the US, and which provides for reduction of both countries’ nuclear arsenals, adding that Russia wouldn’t withdraw from it. The head of state said that before returning to the discussion of compliance with the treaty, Russia should understand how the arsenals of not only the United States, but also other NATO nuclear powers — the UK and France — will be accounted for by the treaty. The State Duma (lower house) unanimously passed the bill on suspension of Russia’s participation on Wednesday.

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