Putin Proposes One-Year Extension of Nuclear Arms Treaty to President Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered a one-year extension of the New START nuclear arms control treaty to U.S. President Donald Trump, in an effort to buy time for further negotiations on the future of strategic weapons agreements between the two countries.
Russia and the United States continue to hold the world’s largest nuclear arsenals. The New START treaty—currently the only remaining agreement limiting their deployed strategic nuclear warheads—is set to expire on February 5, 2026. Without an extension or replacement, both sides could surpass the treaty’s limit of 1,550 deployed warheads each.
Putin framed the proposal as a contribution to global nuclear non-proliferation and a means to encourage renewed dialogue with Washington on arms control. At a meeting of his Security Council, he made the offer public:

“Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after 5 February 2026,” said the Russian president.
“Subsequently, based on an analysis of the situation, we will make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary self-imposed restrictions.
We believe that this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or violate the existing balance of deterrence capabilities.”

The offer comes as President Trump continues to press Russia on ending the war in Ukraine—an issue the Kremlin considers part of broader security concerns that have driven tensions between Moscow and the West to levels not seen since the Cold War. Meanwhile, Ukraine is urging Washington to increase sanctions on Russia.
Until now, Moscow had insisted that arms control talks could only resume if broader U.S.-Russia relations improved. The proposal appears to mark a shift in Russia’s approach.
There has been no immediate response from Washington to Putin’s proposal.
With just a few months remaining before the treaty’s expiration, the two sides have not yet begun formal talks to extend or replace it. President Trump has voiced interest in crafting a new arms control deal that could include China, although Beijing has rejected involvement.
Putin also made it clear that Russia would be watching U.S. military developments closely—particularly efforts to expand missile defense and any moves to deploy systems in space:

“We will proceed on the basis that the practical implementation of such destabilising actions could nullify our efforts to maintain the status quo in the field of START,” said Putin. “We will respond accordingly.”