Overview
- Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu said Moscow is waiting for a formal answer from Washington and noted there are fewer than 100 days until the treaty runs out.
- New START is due to expire on February 5 and limits deployed strategic warheads along with the land- and sea-based missiles and bombers that carry them.
- Vladimir Putin proposed in September that both sides voluntarily observe the treaty’s limits for one year.
- The U.S. National Security Strategy states a goal to reestablish strategic stability with Russia, signaling interest in renewed arms-control discussions.
- Former chief U.S. negotiator Rose Gottemoeller argues continued implementation would buy time to address China’s buildup, which the Federation of American Scientists estimates at about 600 warheads.