Citing a direct desire to avoid a “further strategic arms race,” Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed his country to one more year of adherence to the nuclear limits established by the now-expired New START treaty. The move is a significant unilateral gesture aimed at the United States.
Speaking to the Russian Security Council, Putin underscored the need for restraint in a period of “worsening strategic stability.” The New START treaty, a landmark agreement from the Obama era, capped deployed warheads at 1,550 and strategic launchers at 700—figures Russia will now voluntarily respect.
This commitment, however, is not open-ended or unconditional. The Russian president was firm in his expectation of reciprocity from Washington. He warned that the measure would only be considered “viable” if the United States follows suit and refrains from destabilizing actions.
Putin also expressed hope that this decision could serve as a catalyst for diplomacy. He suggested that honoring the pact’s limits could be a major contribution to creating an environment where a “substantive strategic dialogue” with the U.S. could be successfully rekindled.
The one-year timeline for this commitment provides a temporary but crucial period of predictability. The long-term future of arms control will now depend on the American response and Russia’s subsequent assessment of the global strategic landscape.