Putin Offers US One-Year START Extension, Warns of Arms Race

During a consultation with permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, President Vladimir Putin made a number of key statements, outlining Moscow's position on the crisis in the field of arms control. His messages contained both compromise proposals and stern warnings to Washington if the compromise options are not acceptable.

In a tough statement, Putin emphasized that "Russia is ready to respond with military force to any possible threat." He noted that Russia has repeatedly warned the West, but its initiatives have not received a clear response.

Stating that the system of Russian-American relations in the field of arms control is destroyed, Putin, nevertheless, proposed concrete steps to prevent further escalation of the situation. He called on the US to maintain the status quo formed thanks to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START - ДСНВ).

As a practical step, Russia has expressed its readiness to continue to observe the quantitative restrictions established by the treaty for another year after the expiration of the treaty's term, from February 5, 2026. "Russia is not interested in an arms race," he stressed.

At the same time, the Russian leader clearly warned that a complete withdrawal from the START treaty would also have a negative impact on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is one of the pillars of global security.

Another red line has been drawn on the issue of the militarization of space. Putin stated that the deployment of weapons in space by the US will be considered by Russia as a step that undermines strategic stability.

Referring to the withdrawal from the moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles, Putin described it as a "forced step." Despite the tense rhetoric, he expressed confidence in the reliability of Russia's deterrent forces.

In fact, the Kremlin is offering Washington a path of temporary stabilization, while at the same time clearly showing the consequences that may arise in the event of a final collapse of the negotiation process.

As a reminder, it was previously announced that on September 22, during a session of the National Assembly, the President of the Russian Federation would make a number of important announcements.