Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday offered U.S. President Donald Trump a one-year extension of the New START treaty, the last remaining pact limiting the nuclear arsenals of the two countries.
The treaty, which caps deployed strategic warheads at 1,550 for each side, is set to expire on February 5, 2026. Without renewal, both nations could exceed those limits, raising global security risks.
Putin framed the proposal as a step in support of nuclear non-proliferation and a chance to restart dialogue with the US.
“Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after February 5, 2026,” he said during a Security Council meeting. However, he emphasised that Russia’s commitment would only hold if the United States also complied and refrained from actions undermining the balance of deterrence.
Russian Policy Shift
The move marks a shift in Moscow’s stance, as Russia had previously tied arms control talks to broader improvements in U.S.-Russia relations, strained by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump has pressed Putin to end the conflict, while Kyiv has urged Washington to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Talks on a long-term overhaul of the treaty have yet to begin even as Trump has expressed interest in a new deal that would also include China, a proposal China has firmly rejected.
Daryl Kimball, head of the Arms Control Association, called Putin’s offer “a positive and welcome move,” urging Washington to reciprocate, saying the two leaders could “help reduce the most immediate existential security threat facing the world.”
Still, Putin warned that U.S. plans to expand missile defences and consider space-based interceptors could undermine the stability provided by New START. “The practical implementation of such destabilising actions could nullify our efforts,” he said.
Senior Russian senator Konstantin Kosachyov added that Putin’s move was a clear signal of willingness to engage on arms control. “I hope this signal will be heard and correctly interpreted,” he wrote on Telegram.
Russia – US Nuclear Capabilities
The US holds roughly 5,044–5,177 total warheads, including about 1,670–1,770 deployed (on ICBMs, bombers, and tactical forces in Europe), plus 1,938 in reserve and 1,336–1,477 awaiting dismantling, an 88% decrease from its 1967 peak (31,255). Russia on the other hand holds the largest arsenal, with 5,459–5,580 warheads, including 1,718 deployed, 2,591 in reserve, and 1,150 retired; ongoing modernization with many on high alert.
