What's happened
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia's willingness to extend the New START treaty for one year if the US agrees, citing concerns over strategic stability. The treaty, set to expire in February 2026, is the last major arms control agreement between the two nations. The move follows Russia's suspension of the treaty in 2023 amid tensions over Ukraine and US support for Kyiv.
What's behind the headline?
Putin's recent proposal signals a strategic shift, aiming to leverage arms control as a diplomatic tool amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine. The offer to extend the treaty for one year is likely a calculated move to keep the dialogue open while avoiding a full withdrawal, which could escalate nuclear competition. The timing suggests Russia seeks to influence US policy, especially as the expiration date approaches. The US's cautious response indicates a recognition of the importance of arms control but also highlights the fragility of current relations. If the US reciprocates, this could stabilize strategic deterrence; if not, the risk of an uncontrolled arms race increases. The broader context involves China's expanding nuclear arsenal, which complicates the strategic landscape and underscores the importance of renewed multilateral arms control efforts.
What the papers say
The Moscow Times reports that Putin's proposal is a 'general mood-setting initiative' rather than a detailed offer, emphasizing Russia's desire to maintain strategic stability amid tensions over Ukraine. The Japan Times highlights the cautious optimism from the White House, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt calling the proposal 'pretty good' but noting that President Trump will address it directly. Both sources underline that the US and Russia are the primary holders of nuclear arsenals, with concerns over the treaty's expiration fueling fears of a new arms race. The South China Morning Post adds that China remains largely indifferent to the US-Russia negotiations, with Beijing emphasizing its minimum deterrence policy and expanding its nuclear capabilities, which could undermine future arms control efforts. Bloomberg emphasizes Putin's readiness to adhere to the treaty's limits for one year, framing it as a move to prevent further destabilization, while AP News underscores the potential global stability risks if the treaty lapses without a successor agreement.
How we got here
The New START treaty, signed in 2010 by Obama and Medvedev, limits deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems for the US and Russia. Russia suspended its participation in 2023, citing Western military support for Ukraine and concerns over inspections. Despite this, Putin indicated Russia would still observe the treaty's numerical caps, aiming to prevent a new arms race and preserve strategic stability. The US has expressed interest in extending the treaty, with Trump previously indicating support for maintaining nuclear limits.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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New START is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation with the formal name of Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in