US President Donald Trump has voiced support for Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend the New START arms control agreement between the United States and Russia for an additional year. During a press briefing outside the White House, Trump remarked that the idea sounded like a good one. This positive reaction from the U.S. leader has been met with approval from Kirill Dmitriev, an economic advisor to Putin and a key figure in efforts to normalize relations with Washington. Dmitri, who is also part of the Russian government, has indicated that the U.S. and Russia are fairly likely to extend the agreement.
The New START treaty, which limits each side to no more than 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 700 deployed delivery systems, is set to expire next February unless extended. Last month, Putin signaled Moscow’s readiness to prolong the treaty for another year, provided the U.S. reciprocates and refrains from actions that could disrupt the nuclear status quo. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently stated that Washington has yet to respond to the proposal. The potential extension of this treaty could have far-reaching implications for international security and arms control policies.
Experts suggest that while the recent comments from both leaders indicate a willingness to cooperate, the actual process of negotiating an extension will likely be complex. The treaty’s future depends on the willingness of both nations to engage in constructive dialogue and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. With the current geopolitical climate, the extension of New START could help stabilize the nuclear balance between the two former superpowers and prevent an escalation of tensions.
The broader implications of this treaty’s potential extension extend beyond just the United States and Russia. It could influence other global nuclear powers and shape the future of international arms control efforts. As discussions continue, the international community will be closely watching to see whether this agreement can be extended or if it will expire without a renewed pact, which would leave a significant gap in global nuclear disarmament efforts.