'To Avoid Arms Race': Putin Offers To Extend Nuclear Treaty With US For One Year

Last Updated:September 22, 2025, 22:53 IST

Putin warned that ending the 2010 New START treaty could harm global stability and lead to more countries seeking nuclear weapons

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission in Perm, Russia. (AP photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said that Russia will continue to respect nuclear arms limits with the United States for one more year after the current treaty expires in February next year. He also urged the US to do the same to avoid escalating tensions.

Putin warned that ending the 2010 New START treaty could harm global stability and lead to more countries seeking nuclear weapons.

The Russian President said in a televised speech that maintaining the treaty’s limits was “justified" to prevent a new arms race and keep predictability during these uncertain times.

“To avoid provoking a further strategic arms race and to ensure an acceptable level of predictability and restraint, we believe it is justified to try to maintain the status quo established by the New START Treaty during the current, rather turbulent period," he said.

“Therefore, Russia is prepared to keep adhering to the central quantitative limitations of the New START Treaty for one year after February 5, 2026," Putin noted.

He further added that Russia would later decide whether to continue these voluntary limits.

The New START treaty, signed by former US Presidents Barack Obama and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, restricts both Russia and the US to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. It also allows on-site inspections to verify compliance, though these inspections have not taken place since 2020.

Putin said Russia expects the US to act similarly, warning that any moves by Washington that disrupt the balance of nuclear weapons could force Russia to respond.

He instructed Russian agencies to closely monitor US actions, particularly any plans to expand missile defence systems, including interceptors in space. Putin called such moves “destabilising" and said Russia would react if necessary.

Despite suspending Russia’s participation in the treaty last February, Putin stressed that Russia was not withdrawing from the agreement altogether. Moscow remains committed to the weapon limits and continues to notify the US about missile test launches.

Putin suggested that Russia’s decision to stick to the treaty limits could help create an environment for more serious strategic talks with the US, if broader efforts are made to normalise relations.

(With inputs from AP)

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