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In an effort to preserve nuclear arms control, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump a one-year extension of the New START treaty. The treaty, which is due to expire on February 5, limits each country to 1,550 deployed warheads. Without an extension or a new agreement, Russia and the United States, who possess by far the world's largest nuclear arsenals, will likely exceed this limit. The treaty concerns strategic nuclear weapons intended for use against centers of military, economic, and political authority.
Putin said his proposal was in the interests of global non-proliferation and could help spur dialogue with Washington about arms control.
He has been under pressure from Trump to agree to end the war in Ukraine, something Moscow says is part of a slew of security issues that have raised East-West tensions to their most dangerous level since the Cold War.
The offer, made as Ukraine tries to convince Trump to impose harsher sanctions on Russia, was made public by Putin at a meeting of his Security Council.
"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.
"Subsequently, based on an analysis of the situation, we will make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary, self-imposed restrictions. 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."
The proposal appears to be a unilateral change of policy by Moscow, which has until now insisted it would only engage with Washington on such matters if overall ties - hampered by stark differences over the war in Ukraine - improved.
Differences over Ukraine mean the two superpowers have not started talks on renewing or overhauling the treaty, though Trump has spoken of his desire to do a new nuclear arms control deal, albeit with China as well.
Beijing has rejected the idea that it should be included.
Putin said Russia would be monitoring U.S. nuclear arms and defence activity, paying particular attention to plans to beef up missile defences and proposals to deploy missile interceptors in space.
