Overview

• Vladimir Putin said Russia would voluntarily observe New START’s central caps for one year beyond the Feb. 5, 2026 expiration, contingent on the United States doing the same.
• The proposal does not revive the treaty’s verification regime, with on-site inspections having been dormant since 2020 and Russia’s formal participation suspended since 2023.
• Putin directed Russian agencies to watch U.S. strategic programs closely, highlighting concerns about expanded missile defense and possible space-based interceptors, and warned of responses to destabilizing steps.
• New START limits each side to 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, preserving predictability over the largest nuclear arsenals.
• U.S. officials offered no immediate public response; President Trump previously signaled interest in maintaining limits and discussing a successor agreement, potentially with broader participation.