Russia Proposes One-Year Extension to Nuclear Warhead Limits if U.S. Reciprocates

Moscow — Russia has signaled its willingness to continue observing nuclear warhead limits under the New START treaty for one year beyond its expiration in February 2026, provided that the United States agrees to do the same.

The New START agreement, signed in 2010, is the last major arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow. It caps the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 for each side, nearly 30 percent fewer than the limits established in 2002. The treaty is set to expire on February 5, 2026, with no extension yet agreed upon.

“Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central quantitative limitations of the New START Treaty for one year after February 5, 2026,” President Vladimir Putin announced during a televised meeting on Monday. He emphasized that the move was necessary to avoid triggering “a strategic arms race” with Washington.

However, Putin stressed that the extension would only be viable if the United States reciprocated. “This measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or disrupt the existing balance of deterrence potentials,” he said.

Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in 2023 but has continued to follow its numerical restrictions voluntarily.

The proposal marks a temporary step to preserve nuclear stability, though the long-term future of arms control between the two powers remains uncertain.