Putin Signals Willingness to Extend Nuclear Arms Treaty with U.S.
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on September 22, 2025, that Russia is prepared to extend the New START treaty with the United States for one year beyond its expiration date in February 2026. The offer, made during a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, hinges on reciprocal action from Washington.
The potential lapse of New START, the last remaining nuclear arms treaty between the two nations, has raised international concerns about a renewed arms race and diminished transparency regarding nuclear arsenals. Putin’s proposal offers a limited window for continued dialog and verification measures,though its acceptance depends on the U.S. management’s response. The treaty currently limits each side to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.
“we are ready to extend the treaty for one year, provided that… the United States also extends it,” Putin said, according to state news agency TASS. He further criticized what he described as a lack of willingness from the U.S. to engage in meaningful negotiations, accusing Washington of attempting to gain unilateral advantages.
The New START treaty, originally signed in 2010 and entering into force in 2011, has been a cornerstone of nuclear stability for over a decade. Its expiration would remove critical verification mechanisms, including on-site inspections, increasing the risk of miscalculation and escalating tensions. While both sides have maintained they will adhere to the treaty’s limits even after its expiration, the absence of formal verification raises significant doubts.
