MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to adhere to nuclear arms limits for an additional year under the New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear agreement with the United States, which is set to expire on February 5, 2026. In a televised address from the Kremlin, Putin urged Washington to reciprocate, emphasizing that the treaty’s expiration would lead to destabilization and potentially escalate the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Putin articulated that maintaining the status quo established by the New START treaty is essential during this turbulent period, particularly due to the increased tensions between Russia and the West amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He stated, "To avoid provoking a further strategic arms race and to ensure an acceptable level of predictability and restraint, we believe it is justified to try to maintain the status quo established by the New START Treaty." He reiterated that Russia is committed to upholding the treaty’s limits for another year post-expiration.
Advocates for arms control have long raised alarms about the approaching expiration of the New START treaty, coupled with the lack of dialogue for a successor agreement. They caution against the risks of a renewed nuclear arms race and the heightened chances of a nuclear confrontation. Putin further indicated that preserving limits on nuclear weapons could facilitate a constructive strategic dialogue with the United States.
The New START treaty, signed in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, restricts each nation to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. The treaty also calls for on-site inspections to verify compliance, but inspections were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have not resumed.
Initially set to expire in 2021, the New START treaty was extended for an additional five years. Putin emphasized the importance of the U.S. agreeing to maintain its commitments under the treaty. He stated, "We believe this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner."
Daryl G. Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association based in Washington, praised Putin’s statement as a "significant and positive move." He and other arms control experts have urged for a swift agreement between Moscow and Washington to maintain existing nuclear weapons limits. Kimball posited that more nuclear weapons do not increase safety and that adhering to the current limits could reduce tensions, avert a costly arms race, and provide diplomatic leverage for discussions on China’s nuclear arsenal while buying time for a broader treaty discussion.
U.S. President Donald Trump noted in a previous summit with Putin that the expiration of the New START treaty is a pressing issue, remarking that it poses a significant problem for global security. Moreover, in his comments, Putin instructed Russian agencies to closely monitor American activities concerning strategic offensive arms. He highlighted concerns regarding potential U.S. preparations to deploy missile interceptors in space, asserting that such actions would prompt Russia to "respond accordingly."
In February 2023, Putin declared the suspension of Russia's participation in the New START treaty, citing the impossibility of allowing U.S. inspections of its nuclear sites amid declarations from Washington and its NATO allies about defeating Moscow in Ukraine. However, he assured that Russia would continue to respect the treaty's limits on nuclear weapons and notify the U.S. about ballistic missile test launches.
The Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, another crucial U.S.-Russian arms control agreement, was terminated in 2019. This treaty, signed in 1987, banned land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. As Russia and the West's tensions have escalated due to the Ukraine conflict, NATO allies have accused Russia of provocations, including the incursion of Russian drones in Polish airspace and fighter jets entering Estonian airspace.
