Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow will keep following the nuclear arms limits of the New START treaty for one additional year after it expires in February 2026. He urged the United States to do the same.
Putin explained that ending the 2010 agreement could harm global security and spark a dangerous arms race. He said Russia wants to maintain stability and predictability during uncertain times.
The New START treaty, signed by former U.S. President Barack Obama and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, set limits of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 delivery systems. It also included inspection rules, but these have been inactive since 2020.
Putin warned that if the U.S. expands its missile defense systems or deploys new interceptors in space, Russia would see it as destabilizing. He added that Moscow will respond accordingly if its security is threatened.
At the same time, Putin stressed that Russia’s decision to continue following the treaty could create a more stable atmosphere and open the door for dialogue with Washington. However, he reminded that this goodwill depends on the U.S. acting in a responsible manner.
