Moscow: In a notable development in global arms control, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which is due to expire on February 5, 2026. Putin had offered to maintain the treaty’s limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons for an additional year, a move aimed at preserving stability between the two nuclear superpowers. Trump remarked that the proposal “sounds like a good idea,” signaling a potential breakthrough in long-stalled arms control discussions.
The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s statement with cautious optimism. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted the hope that the United States would formally back Russia’s initiative, noting that a cooperative approach would reinforce strategic stability. The New START treaty, signed in 2010, remains the last active arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, countries which collectively control roughly 87% of the world’s nuclear arsenal. According to the Federation of Atomic Scientists, Russia currently possesses approximately 5,459 warheads, while the United States holds 5,177.
Experts note that Trump’s positive remarks could provide momentum for negotiations at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, particularly in the wake of ongoing military conflicts and geopolitical disputes. Maintaining the New START limits would allow both nations to monitor and verify nuclear stockpiles, reducing the risk of uncontrolled arms escalation and providing a framework for future arms control agreements.
While the announcement has been welcomed diplomatically, the path to a formal extension of the treaty remains uncertain. Analysts emphasize that negotiations will need to navigate complex strategic considerations, verification mechanisms, and domestic political dynamics in both countries. Nevertheless, the dialogue offers a glimmer of hope for sustaining a crucial pillar of global nuclear stability, preventing an unregulated arms race, and mitigating broader security risks.
The international community is closely watching these developments, as any agreement or failure to extend the treaty could have far-reaching implications for global security and non-proliferation efforts.