Putin Advocates for One-Year Extension of Nuclear Pact with US

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on September 22, 2023, that Russia is willing to adhere to the nuclear arms limits set by the New START Treaty for an additional year after its expiration on February 5, 2026. During a televised address from the Kremlin, Putin urged the United States to reciprocate this commitment, emphasizing the need to maintain stability in the face of rising global tensions.

Putin expressed that allowing the New START agreement, originally signed in 2010, to lapse would lead to destabilization and potentially escalate nuclear proliferation. He stated, “To avoid provoking a further strategic arms race and to ensure an acceptable level of predictability and restraint, we believe it is justified to try to maintain the status quo established by the New START Treaty during the current, rather turbulent period.”

The New START Treaty limits each nation to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. Although the treaty mandates on-site inspections to verify compliance, these inspections have been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have not resumed. Originally set to expire in 2021, the treaty was extended for five additional years, marking it as a critical element in US-Russian arms control.

Putin emphasized the expectation that the United States would follow Russia’s lead in upholding the treaty limits. “We believe this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner,” he stated. This call for reciprocity reflects the concerns of arms control advocates who have long warned about the potential for a new nuclear arms race and the consequent increased risk of conflict.

In response to Putin’s announcement, Daryl G. Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, welcomed the statement as “an important and positive move.” He highlighted the importance of both nations reaching an interim deal to maintain existing nuclear weapons limits, stating, “More nuclear weapons will not make anyone safer.” Kimball suggested that adhering to current limits could reduce tensions and facilitate diplomatic discussions regarding arms control, especially concerning China‘s nuclear arsenal.

The backdrop of Putin’s remarks includes escalating tensions between Russia and the West, particularly related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He noted the necessity for Russian agencies to monitor US activities closely, especially regarding any developments related to missile defense systems in space. Putin indicated that such actions could prompt a Russian response.

In February 2023, Putin announced the suspension of Russia’s participation in the New START treaty, citing concerns over US inspections of nuclear sites amid open declarations by Washington and its NATO allies regarding the goal of defeating Russia in Ukraine. Despite this suspension, Putin assured that Russia would continue to adhere to the treaty’s limits and keep the US informed about missile test launches.

The New START agreement is not the only significant arms control pact between the two nations. The Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which prohibited land-based missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers, was terminated in 2019. As tensions escalate, NATO allies have accused Russia of provocations, including incursions by Russian drones and fighter jets in European airspace.

Putin’s recent statements underscore the delicate balance of power in nuclear arms control and the need for continued dialogue between the United States and Russia, particularly as the international landscape remains fraught with uncertainty. The future of the New START Treaty and its implications for global security will hinge on the responses from both nations in the coming months.