Russia Threatens to Quit START Treaty

Russia may withdraw from the recently ratified Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty if the U.S. continues with its plans to deploy missile defense systems near Russian borders, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. "The new START Treaty may become hostage to the U.S. approach," the official said. "The qualitative and quantitative buildup of the U.S. missile defense systems, which will jeopardize Russia's strategic nuclear capability, can be regarded as an exceptional event under Article 14 of the Treaty whereby Russia has the right to withdraw from this agreement," Ryabkov said.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110516/164052008.html