In a significant move following the expiration of the New START pact, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow will voluntarily adhere to the treaty’s nuclear weapons limits for one more year. This decision was presented as an effort to maintain global stability and prevent an uncontrolled arms race. Putin emphasized that this measure is designed to introduce a degree of predictability during what he described as a “rather turbulent period” in international relations.
During a televised meeting of the Russian Security Council, the president articulated his country’s rationale. He stated a clear intention to avoid escalating tensions and to preserve the strategic balance that the treaty had established. The New START accord, originally signed by then-Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, capped each nation’s deployed nuclear arsenal at 1,550 warheads and 700 delivery systems, including missiles and bombers.
However, Russia’s commitment is not unconditional. Putin explicitly stated that Moscow expects a similar gesture of restraint from the United States. He warned that the Russian self-restraint would only be “viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or disrupt the existing balance of deterrence potentials.” This places the onus on Washington to reciprocate to maintain the status quo.
The Russian leader also expressed hope that this unilateral step could pave the way for broader discussions. He suggested that Moscow’s adherence to the pact’s limits might “make a significant contribution to creating an atmosphere conducive to substantive strategic dialogue with the US.” This indicates a potential opening for renewed diplomatic efforts, contingent on other actions to normalize bilateral relations.
For now, Russia will observe these voluntary limits while analyzing the international situation. Putin concluded by stating that a final decision on maintaining these self-restraints beyond the one-year period will be made based on a future analysis of global strategic stability and US actions.