Putin calls for extending New START restrictions without mutual inspections
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Monday that his country adhere to nuclear warhead limits for one year after the expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026, provided that the United States does the same.
The New START treaty, signed in 2010, is the last remaining agreement for the reduction of nuclear arms between the world’s two leading nuclear powers.
This treaty limits the number of deployable nuclear warheads by both countries.
Putin, noting that abandoning this agreement would be a misguided and short-sighted action, said that to prevent the provocation of a strategic arms race, Russia is ready to adhere to the main limits of the New START treaty for one year after February 5, 2026.
This proposal comes as negotiations to extend the treaty have stalled due to tensions over the Ukraine war.
Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in 2023 but has voluntarily remained committed to its limits.
Putin’s new proposal does not include the resumption of mutual inspections, which were part of the original agreement.