Putin makes surprise nuclear weapons agreement under one strict condition aimed at Trump
Vladimir Putin has made an unexpected move to seemingly try and keep the peace.
In 2010, Russia and the US agreed upon the New START Treaty, which came into force in February 2011.
The Treaty 'enhances US national security by placing verifiable limits on all Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons', the US government website explains.
America also has to adhere by the same rules.
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Initially the Treaty was set to end in 2021, but both countries agreed to extend it to end in February 2026 instead. Now, with the treaty's expiration date looming, Russia has put forward a surprising deal.
What are the terms of the Treaty?
The main aim of the Treaty is to limit both countries' nuclear warfare; specifically to just 1,550 deployed strategic warheads each.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative further details: "The Treaty also includes an aggregate limit of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments. Within that limit, the number of deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers cannot exceed 700."
What has Putin suggested?
In light of the Treaty drawing to a close in February, Putin has surprisingly said that Russia will abide by the rules of the alliance for another 12 months.
"Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START Treaty for one year after 5 February 2026," said the Russian president, as per Reuters.
"Subsequently, based on an analysis of the situation, we will make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary self-imposed restrictions."
The catch? Putin wants Donald Trump to agree to the voluntary restrictions, too.
"We believe that this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or violate the existing balance of deterrence capabilities," Putin shared.
Why does Putin want to keep the restrictions?
Putin believes that by continuing to adhere to the Treaty's rules that it will help maintain some global stability.
He said, according to NBC News: "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.
"Therefore, Russia is prepared to keep adhering to the central quantitative limitations of the New START Treaty for one year after Feb. 5, 2026."
Topics: Vladimir Putin, Russia, World News, Politics, Donald Trump
Niamh Shackleton