NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels that the alliance regrets Russia's decision to suspend its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START III) and urges the Russian side to reconsider this decision.

According to Stoltenberg, the Russian move dismantles the entire arms control architecture.

“I strongly encourage Russia to reconsider its decision and respect existing agreements,” he told reporters.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was suspending its participation in the START.