MOSCOW, 22 September 2025 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump a one-year extension of the New START treaty, the last remaining accord limiting the two countries’ nuclear arsenals, as Washington and Moscow attempt to chart the future of arms control.
The treaty, due to expire on February 5, 2026, caps the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 for each side. Both nations are expected to exceed that limit if the pact lapses without renewal or replacement.
“Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after 5 February 2026,” Putin told his Security Council on Monday. “Subsequently, based on an analysis of the situation, we will make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary self-imposed restrictions. We believe that this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or violate the existing balance of deterrence capabilities.”
Geopolitical Pressure and Ukraine War
Putin said the offer was made in the interests of global non-proliferation and to spur dialogue with Washington on arms control. The move comes as Trump pressures Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, which Russia views as part of wider security disputes driving East-West tensions to their most dangerous level since the Cold War.
Ukraine has urged Trump to impose harsher sanctions on Russia, but Moscow’s proposal marks a shift in policy, as the Kremlin had previously insisted arms control talks could only advance if relations with Washington improved more broadly.
No Talks Yet on New Framework
With just over four months until the treaty’s expiration, formal negotiations to renew or overhaul New START have yet to begin. Trump has previously voiced interest in striking a new deal that also involves China, though Beijing has rejected participating.
Putin added that Russia would closely monitor U.S. nuclear activity, including plans to strengthen missile defenses and deploy interceptors in space.
“We will proceed on the basis that the practical implementation of such destabilising actions could nullify our efforts to maintain the status quo in the field of START,” he said. “We will respond accordingly.”
