Russia Will Not Sign Replacement for Nuclear Treaty with US, Reports Izvestia

Moscow – Russia has declared that it will not enter into a new treaty with the United States to replace the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which is set to expire in 2026. This information was reported by the Izvestia newspaper, citing an undisclosed senior official from Russia.

New START is the last remaining agreement aimed at curbing the nuclear arms race between the two nations, which were once adversaries during the Cold War, and it imposes verifiable limits on the number of strategic weapons each side can possess.

In 2023, President Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of Russia’s participation in the treaty in response to U.S. support for Ukraine. Despite this suspension, both Russia and the United States have adhered to the limitations on warheads, missiles, and bombers as outlined in the treaty.

With the treaty’s expiration date of February 5, 2026 approaching, Izvestia reported that Russia will not pursue a replacement treaty. A Russian source articulated that the decision stemmed from U.S. actions regarding Ukraine, asserting, "We suspended our participation in the START-3 treaty because of Washington’s actions. And we will not sign a new agreement. Otherwise, it will only entertain the pride of the United States."

The unnamed source further emphasized that the ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine precludes the possibility of establishing a new treaty.