Putin offers to extend US-Russia nuclear arms control treaty by one year: Reuters
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The news: Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to extend the New START Treaty by one year, according to Reuters, which would temporarily extend the cap on the number of nuclear weapons each side can hold if US President Donald Trump agrees.
The context: The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, which limits the number of warheads that the two countries can deploy, as well as the deployment of land and submarine based bombers that deploy the warheads, is set to expire in early February 2026.
Speaking to a Russian Security Council meeting on Monday, Putin told councillors that he is prepared to roll over the treaty by 12 months in the interests of global non-proliferation and encourage dialogue between Moscow and Washington.
"Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after 5 February 2026," said Putin.
"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."
Russian-US relations have hit a low point in the past month, as Putin has resisted and ignored Trump’s requests to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, instead ramping up attacks. During his second UK state visit, Trump admitted that Putin “has really let me down” over the continued Russian attacks.
On Monday, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that it would not hesitate to shoot down objects that violate its airspace and pose a threat. Over 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on 9-10 September, which were shot down the NATO member. On Friday, Estonia said that three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace, adding to concerns that Moscow is testing NATO’s readiness to respond to incursions.
The source: Reuters
