MOSCOW. Feb 21 (Interfax) - The suspension by Russia of its participation in the Treaty with the United States on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) would mean that, if necessary, Russia could increase the number of strategic nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles, State Duma Defense Committee head Andrei Kartapolov said.
"We're suspending our participation in this treaty in response to our partners' actions and are free to do all we want to ensure our homeland's security. If there's a need to increase the number of warheads, we'll increase them, and if there's a need to increase the number of delivery vehicles, we'll increase them, too, we're entitled to do that," Kartapolov told Interfax on Tuesday.
The decision on suspending Russia's participation in New START will not have to be ratified, as "the president has made the decision," he said.