Russian President Vladimir Putin offered U.S. President Donald Trump a one-year extension on Monday to the last remaining treaty limiting nuclear weapons between the two nations, as they discuss future steps.
Russia and the United States hold the largest nuclear arsenals globally. The New START treaty, which limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons—those designed to target military, economic, and political centres—expires on 5 February.
The treaty caps deployed warheads at 1,550 for each side, a limit both nations are likely to exceed if the treaty is not extended or replaced.
Putin under pressure to end Ukraine war
Putin stated that his proposal was in the interest of global non-proliferation and could help foster dialogue with Washington on arms control.
He has been under pressure from Trump to agree to end the war in Ukraine, an issue Moscow says is part of a broader range of security concerns that have escalated East-West tensions to their highest since the Cold War.
Putin made the offer public at a meeting of his Security Council, as Ukraine presses Trump to impose stricter sanctions on Russia.
"Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after February 5, 2026," he announced.
"Afterwards, based on an analysis of the situation, we will decide whether to maintain these voluntary, self-imposed restrictions."
"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 proposal marks a shift in Moscow’s policy, which until now had insisted on engaging with Washington on such matters only if broader relations—complicated by stark disagreements over the war in Ukraine—improved.
Washington has not yet responded.
Talks on replacing the treaty still to begin
Due to differences over Ukraine, the two superpowers have not yet initiated talks on renewing or replacing the treaty, though Trump has expressed a desire for a new nuclear arms control agreement, one that would also include China.
Beijing has rejected the idea of being included in such discussions.
Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, described Putin's offer as "a positive and welcome move". He urged Washington to reciprocate, stating that Trump and Putin could "help reduce the most immediate existential security threat facing the world".
Putin added that Russia would monitor U.S. nuclear arms and defence activities, with particular focus on missile defence plans and proposals to deploy missile interceptors in space.
"The practical implementation of such destabilising actions could nullify our efforts to maintain the status quo under START," warned Putin. "We will respond accordingly."
Konstantin Kosachyov, a senior Russian senator, stated that Putin was signalling his willingness to enter talks on a new arms control treaty with the U.S.
"I hope this message is heard and interpreted correctly," Kosachyov said on Telegram.
Russian parliamentary elections are set to deliver a comfortable win to the ruling United Russia party, which is closely aligned to President Vladi...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes military action against Tehran.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 21 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in sports.
Baku is preparing to host its 10th Formula 1 race, with the city’s streets once again set to transform into one of the most demanding circuits on the F1 calendar.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) took first place in state elections in northeastern Germany on Sunday, voting projections showed, delivering the worst result for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's mainstream conservative party since 1949.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment