The Russian State Duma on Wednesday passed a law suspending Russia's participation in the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START), Interfax reported.

The corresponding document was submitted to the State Duma on February 21 by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The law on Russia's suspension of the START Treaty will take effect from the day of its publication.

The law also says that the decision to resume the START Treaty between Russia and the US on measures for the further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms will be made by the Russian president.

The explanatory note says that the treaty, signed in Prague on April 8, 2010, stipulates that in order to ensure control over compliance with the provisions of the treaty, each party has the right to carry out inspection activities.

At the same time, the U.S. is purposefully failing to fulfill its obligations under the treaty in this area of activity, the document notes.

In this regard, in accordance with Federal Law No. 101-FZ of July 15, 1995 "On International Treaties of Russia, the Russian president makes a proposal to suspend the treaty, the explanatory note notes.

The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia suspends its participation in the START, but does not withdraw from the treaty.