Chicago – September 23, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty with the United States for an additional year after its expiration in February 2026.
His proposal, made during a meeting of the Security Council, aims to maintain the existing limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons, contingent on a reciprocal commitment from the U.S.
Putin emphasized the importance of preserving stability and avoiding a costly arms race, stating that adhering to the treaty’s restrictions would foster a conducive environment for renewed strategic dialogue.
The New START treaty, signed in 2010, caps each country’s deployed nuclear warheads at 1,550 and limits delivery systems. It also includes mutual inspections, though these have been suspended since 2020.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that President Donald Trump is aware of Putin’s offer and would respond publicly in due course. This extension proposal comes amid rising tensions over the Ukraine conflict and global concerns about nuclear proliferation, making the continuation of arms control measures a critical issue for international security.
