Moscow: Russia has raised serious concerns over the looming expiration of the New START nuclear arms treaty with the United States, highlighting the potential global security risks if the agreement lapses without a successor deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that allowing the treaty to expire could create a dangerous void in strategic arms control, leaving both nuclear powers without a framework to manage their deployed arsenals and maintain stability.
President Vladimir Putin has proposed that Russia and the U.S. continue adhering to the treaty’s limits on strategic nuclear weapons for an additional year. This move, he argues, would provide the necessary time to negotiate a new agreement while preventing any sudden escalation or destabilization. The proposal has received a positive response from the White House, signaling that the U.S. administration is willing to discuss the potential extension.
The New START treaty, originally signed in 2010, imposes strict limits on both countries, restricting each to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 delivery systems. Security analysts warn that if the treaty lapses, it could trigger an expensive and destabilizing nuclear arms race, undermining decades of arms control progress. Putin emphasized that Russia’s continued compliance depends on reciprocal actions from the U.S., although the Kremlin has not detailed specific measures it might take if limits are violated.
Experts also view the treaty extension as a rare opportunity for diplomatic progress amid strained U.S.-Russia relations, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Despite the treaty’s impending expiration in February 2026, formal negotiations between the two countries to renew or overhaul the agreement have yet to commence, heightening concerns among international security observers.
The Kremlin’s suggestion for a one-year extension is seen as a pragmatic measure to maintain strategic stability. Without such an extension, there are fears that both sides could begin breaching their limits, leading to increased nuclear proliferation and heightened global insecurity. The international community is closely monitoring developments, urging both powers to prioritize global safety over geopolitical rivalries and commit to continued arms control dialogue.