Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to extend the “New Start" nuclear arms treaty by one more year, as the pact is likely to expire in 2026.
The famous Russia-United States treaty, which imposed a cap on the number of nuclear warheads on each side, is likely to expire on February 5 next year.
Under the pact, the two countries also agreed to place limits on the delivery systems, such as ballistic missiles and strategic bombers, near the borders of the two countries.
Putin on Monday reiterated that his “country is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the treaty for one year after February 5, 2026.”
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He said, though this will be contingent on the US acting similarly. Russia is trying to avoid a high-cost arms race with the United States due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The prolonging of the war has put a heavy financial burden on the country. The New Start is the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the US and Russia, while the recent Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty expired in 2019.
Earlier in July, US President Donald Trump signalled his willingness to extend the New START treaty. Trump also said last month that he wants to open denuclearisation talks with China and Russia.
The treaty between the two countries limits the deployment of nuclear missiles and further reduces and limits strategic offensive arms. The United States and the Russian Federation have agreed to extend the treaty through February 4, 2026. The New Start Treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011.
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