Russia and US discussed nuclear arms and agreed talks need to start soon, Kremlin says

Russian and US negotiators discussed the expiration of the New START treaty, which terminated on Thursday, leaving no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in over half a century. The Kremlin stated that both countries agreed on the need to quickly launch new arms control talks. Meanwhile, the US emphasized the need for China to join a future arms pact and accused Beijing of covert nuclear tests. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to stick to the treaty's limits for another year if Washington followed suit. However, US President Donald Trump has ignored this offer and argued that China should be involved in a new treaty. The talks were held between Russian and US negotiators.

US President Donald Trump rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to extend the recently expired New START treaty, which limited the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons. Trump stated he prefers negotiating a new, modernized treaty with Russia, potentially including China, despite Beijing's lack of interest. The New START treaty's expiration removes limits on the nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia, raising concerns about a potential arms race. While Putin offered to abide by the treaty for another year if the US reciprocated, the US ignored the offer, citing concerns that the treaty limited its missile deployment capabilities. Russia expressed regret over the treaty's expiration, pledging a responsible approach to nuclear weapons based on its national interests.

On February 4, 2026, the New START treaty between the US and Russia, which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons, is set to expire. Russia announced it will no longer be bound by the treaty's limits, citing the US's lack of response to President Putin's proposal to extend the treaty for another 12 months. The treaty's expiration means both countries are free to increase missile numbers and deploy more strategic warheads. Experts warn that the end of the treaty could spark a new nuclear arms race between the two nations. Despite this, former US President Trump has expressed interest in negotiating a new agreement to restrict nuclear weapons.