Russia suspends nuclear treaty

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday gave his first annual state-of-the-nation address since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. He had skipped last year's address. Putin said he is suspending, not withdrawing from, the New START Treaty, which limits the number of nuclear weapons the United States and Russia can have. In 2021, the U.S. and Russia agreed to extend it through 2026. 

How is the United States responding? Hours after Putin’s remarks Tuesday, President Joe Biden is expected to make an address in Poland. Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Monday. Biden’s speech will express the United States’ commitments to Ukraine, its staying power, and its follow through, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. On Monday, Biden announced a new aid package to Ukraine. It includes $500 million for security purposes, including artillery shells and radar. 

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s report in WORLD Magazine on what’s happening to Ukrainian refugees.