The West is commenting on today's address of the President of Russia to the Federation Assembly. At the same time, the largest number of comments from foreign politicians, political scientists, the military concerns Vladimir Putin's statement on the suspension of Russia's membership in the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms.
Recall, that in his speech the Russian President stated that, that not only the US strategic forces are directed against Russia, but also other NATO nuclear powers - France and Great Britain. And these countries, as is known, not included in the agreement.
Paris said, that they are disappointed with Vladimir Putin's decision to suspend Russia's membership in START. The press service of the President of France issued a statement, which reads as follows:
We hope, that the President of Russia will cancel his decision on the START treaty. There were comments and personally the French president, where he calls Vladimir Putin’s words about the stability of the Russian economy amid Western sanctions “Russian propaganda”. According to Macron, "He only believes in, that the Russian economy is suffering”.
French journalists asked Macron, what, then, are his data on the dynamics of Russia's GDP, if Vladimir Putin announced the figures for the fall on the basis of 2022 year at 2,1%.
Macron did not find a specific answer, stated:
It's they who say "minus 2%", and I say, which is much more. They make money on gas, but the rest of the economy is hit hard. I don't trust their numbers. Why you need to trust him, Macron did not say.
London also commented on Putin's statement on START. They said there, that "did not refuse to discuss issues of strategic stability with Moscow". At the same time, the statement almost verbatim repeats the words, by a White House official (USA) about an hour before.
