President Vladimir Putin proposes to U.S. President Donald Trump a one-year extension of the New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between Moscow and Washington, due to expire February 5, 2026.
Putin says Russia will maintain the treaty’s limits on deployed strategic warheads and delivery systems during that year if the U.S. does the same, warning that any U.S. actions undermining deterrence will force Russia to respond.
He argues this extension is important for global non-proliferation, avoiding a renewed arms race, and preserving strategic predictability amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The treaty caps each country at 1,550 deployed strategic warheads, and Russia has already suspended treaty inspections but continues to respect the numerical limits.
There is no formal U.S. reply yet, though Trump has expressed interest previously in keeping some limits in place and in possibly involving China in future arms control agreements.
Analysts note that extending New START would buy time for negotiating either a replacement or broader treaty but that distrust over issues like Ukraine and missile defense could complicate matters.
Observers warn that without mutual agreement, the treaty’s expiry could provoke renewed nuclear posturing and reduce stability.
