Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would have to take measures if the US doesn't agree to President Vladimir Putin's proposal that Moscow and Washington should adhere to the New START treaty limits for another year, starting 5/2/2026. He did not specify what those measures would be.

New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is the only remaining nuclear arms agreement between Moscow and Washington. Peskov said Putin made the proposal because negotiating a follow-up treaty before New START expires is "virtually impossible".

"Time is running out. We are literally on the verge of a situation where there may be no bilateral agreements to ensure strategic stability and security. Such a situation would, of course, pose great dangers from a global perspective," Peskov said.

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov at a meeting in Moscow in 12/2023. Photo: AFP

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov at a meeting in Moscow in 12/2023. Photo: AFP

He also said Putin's proposal was not discussed beforehand with US President Donald Trump.

The White House said on 22/9 that the Russian leader's proposal seemed "quite good", and Trump would consider it.

Russia and the US signed New START in 2010. It entered into force in 2011 and was extended for five more years in 2021, shortly after Joe Biden took office.

New START limits each side to no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and nuclear-capable bombers; and no more than 1,550 nuclear warheads on those platforms.

Both Russia and the US could exceed these limits if New START is not extended or replaced by another agreement. Adhering to the treaty's limitations is thought to help both sides avoid, or at least postpone, a costly arms race, which nuclear experts believe could occur if New START fully expires.

Putin stated Russia would only extend its adherence to the treaty's limits if the US does the same.

Huyen Le (Reuters)