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Key Points

Russia has announced it is willing to keep the New START nuclear arms treaty in effect for an extra year. This offer, however, is entirely conditional on the United States taking the same "mirror" position. The Kremlin emphasized that time is running out before the treaty expires in February 2026. Without a new agreement, there would be no bilateral documents regulating strategic stability between the two nuclear powers.

Key Points: Russia Offers One-Year START Extension With US Mirror Demand

  • Russia proposes extending New START treaty limits for one year post-February 2026
  • Kremlin demands a reciprocal and mirror position from the United States
  • Putin discussed the expiring treaty during recent contacts with Trump
  • Both nations risk being left without any bilateral arms control documents
2 min read

Ready to implement START restrictions if Washington acts in similar manner: Russia

Kremlin says Moscow is ready to implement START nuclear treaty limits for one year after 2026, but only if Washington takes a similar reciprocal position.

"We are prepared to continue enforcing quantitative restrictions for a year... But this, of course, requires a mirror position from the United States. - Dmitry Peskov"

Moscow, Sep 23

Russia on Tuesday said that it is ready to implement quantitative limitations on the Strategic Offensive Arms (START) within a year, but this requires a mirror position from the United States.

"We are prepared to continue enforcing quantitative restrictions for a year. That's what we will do. But this, of course, requires a mirror position from the United States," the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

He mentioned that the treaty on measures for the further reduction and limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms was discussed during meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump during their recent meeting.

"The topic [of the New START Treaty] was generally raised during the contacts [between Putin and Trump] in the sense that time is running out, and we are truly on the threshold of a situation where we could be left without any bilateral documents regulating the area of ​​stability and security," Peskov said while replying to a question from Tass news agency about whether the topic of extending the New START Treaty was discussed during the meeting between Putin and Trump.

Putin, he revealed, did not communicate the idea of ​​extending the START treaty to the US President in advance.

"On September 22, Putin stated at a meeting with the Security Council that Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central quantitative restrictions outlined in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for a year after it expires in February 2026, but emphasised that Moscow's retention of the START restrictions is only possible if Washington acts in a similar manner," Tass reported.

The Russian Presidential spokesperson stated that no specific date for the next meeting between both leaders has yet been determined.

"There is no clear understanding yet about the date of the next contact between the two presidents," Peskov told Russia's state-owned news agency.

According to the US Department of State, the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, also known as the New START Treaty, enhances US national security by placing verifiable limits on all Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons and both countries have agreed to extend the treaty through February 4, 2026.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Russia's "mirror position" demand makes sense. Why should they unilaterally restrict themselves? Both superpowers need to show equal commitment to disarmament. Hope diplomacy prevails 🤞
A
Arjun K
While this is primarily a US-Russia issue, it affects global security architecture. India should use its diplomatic channels to encourage dialogue. Our experience with nuclear responsibility could be valuable.
S
Sarah B
The timing is interesting with elections in both countries. Hope this doesn't become a political football. Nuclear arms control should be above domestic politics for everyone's safety.
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Vikram M
Honestly, both sides need to stop playing games with nuclear weapons. This isn't some chess match - real lives are at stake. They should extend the treaty without conditions.
M
Michael C
The lack of a clear date for next meeting worries me. These discussions need continuity. Hope both administrations prioritize this over other geopolitical differences.

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