Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed Monday he is amenable to a one-year extension of the arms control treaty with the US that limits the number of nuclear weapons the two countries have in their arsenals.
Putin said he would back an extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, if President Trump agrees to it as well.
The overture comes as New START, which limits the nukes each side can deploy, is set to expire on Feb. 5, 2026.
“Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after 5 February 2026,” Putin said Monday, Reuters reported.
“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 Kremlin tyrant also explained that after a one-year extension, Russia will analyze the situation and “make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary self-imposed restrictions.”
He warned that terminating the 2010 New START could have devastating consequences for the world.
That deal, which was signed by former US President Barack Obama and his then-Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev, limits the two countries to 1,550 deployed warheads as well as 800 launchers and bombers.
There are also key inspection provisions in the pact.
Back in 2023, Putin alleged that NATO was trying to target Russia’s nuclear sites and announced plans to suspend his country’s role in New START. Russian officials later explained that Moscow would still adhere to the limits in the deal, but refrain from upholding other aspects of it.
On Monday, during a meeting with Russia’s Security Council, Putin declared that it would be “a mistake” to “completely abandon the treaty’s legacy.”
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“To avoid provoking a further strategic arms race and to maintain an acceptable level of predictability and restraint, we believe it is reasonable at this turbulent stage to try to preserve the status quo established under New START,” he added.
Meanwhile, NATO has been roiled by a series of alleged incursions by Russian drones and warplanes into the airspace of members, including Poland, Romania and Estonia.
Trump told reporters Sunday that he “would” protect Poland and the Baltics if Russia continues to accelerate its incursions. Estonia had been a republic of the Soviet Union, while Poland and Romania were satellite states.
Putin has also escalated his offensive on civilian enclaves in Ukraine over recent weeks.
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