Russian officials may freeze nuclear inspections by the U.S. amid tensions over military intervention in Crimea, the Associated Press reports.

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The move is in response to Washington's decision to impose sanctions and end military cooperation with Russia due to the Ukraine crisis, according to an anonymous member of the country’s Defense Ministry.

The military inspections were a result of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), passed by lawmakers in 2010, to reduce warhead stockpiles of both countries.

Russian troops have attempted to take control of Crimea, which is located in the Black Sea peninsula of Ukraine, causing U.S. and European officials to introduce sanctions over Russia. Russian leaders have argued that the troops that are in Crimea are not members of their military.