The Blubber

Per Reuters

Russia recently said it suspended its participation in the New START Treaty as it alleges that the US is turning the war "into a global conflict." Putin warned that Russia would respond by resuming its nuclear-weapon testing if the US conducted tests.

Putin: "If the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed... A week ago, I signed a decree on putting new ground-based strategic systems on combat duty."

The announcement by the Russian President comes shortly after US President Joe Biden visited Ukraine. Recently, the US President visited the country and pledged another $460 million in assistance to the country.

On top of that, Putin has just effectively suspended the country's participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty that exists between the US and the Kremlin. The 2010 agreement limits both countries to the deployment of 1,550 nuclear warheads, which was signed by former US President Barack Obama and Russia's Dmitry Medvedev.

The agreement would have allowed both countries to check the nuclear arsenal of one another physically. Putin said that the US and NATO are trying to defeat Russia, questioning if the country would just allow them to inspect their defense facilities.

Putin: "The people of Ukraine have become the hostage of the Kyiv regime and its Western overlords, who have effectively occupied this country in the political, military and economic sense,"

On Ukraine's side, President Zelensky said that if China were to ally itself with Russia, World War III would happen. He noted that although he would prefer to have the support of China, he believes that it isn't possible.

Putin alleges that the US is trying to turn the war in Ukraine into a "global confrontation," and that was how they understood the recent moves. The Kremlin said that with this perception, they would react accordingly.

See flow at unusualwhales.com/flow.

Other News:

• Biden has a surprise visit in Ukraine, announces $460 million in aid
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially suspended Russia’s participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States
• Zelensky: If China allies itself with Russia, there will be World War III

Resources:

Reuters