Russia says leaving New START has given it new security options

FILE PHOTO: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

(Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday that suspending participation in the New START nuclear arms control treaty with the U.S. had given Moscow new opportunities to guarantee its security, Russian news agencies reported.

President Vladimir Putin withdrew Russia from the agreement, the last remaining nuclear arms treaty between the two Cold War superpowers, in February. Russian officials said it was foolish to share information on Russia's nuclear capabilities at a time when the U.S. could pass that information to Ukraine.