Moscow: The Kremlin on Thursday stated that US President Donald Trump has not yet responded to Russia's proposal to voluntarily maintain the central limits under the New START Treaty, which is set to expire in early 2026.
According to Anadolu Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow's willingness to adhere to the treaty's central quantitative limits for a year following its expiration on February 6, 2026, contingent on the US taking similar actions and refraining from steps that could disrupt the balance of deterrence potentials.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov communicated to journalists that while discussions between Moscow and Washington continue, there has been no official response from the American side. Peskov noted that a response from Trump was anticipated, but no feedback has been received thus far.
The New START Treaty, effective since February 2011, restricts the number of strategic nuclear warheads deployable by each country to 1,550 and limits the number of launchers and nuclear-capable heavy bombers to 800. The treaty also establishes a mutual inspection and notification regime. After taking office in January 2021, former US President Joe Biden extended the agreement to February 2026. However, Putin announced in February 2023 that Moscow would suspend its participation.
Furthermore, Peskov indicated that Russia would respond appropriately if the US transfers long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. He also remarked on the intelligence exchange between Kyiv and Washington, claiming that NATO and US infrastructure are used to gather and transmit intelligence to Ukraine, based on media reports.
Additionally, the Kremlin addressed comments by Moldovan President Maia Sandu regarding the removal of Russian forces from Transnistria, a breakaway region. Peskov expressed regret over Sandu's position, highlighting that recent Moldovan parliamentary elections suggested that nearly half of the population supports stronger ties with Russia. Sandu had emphasized the need for peaceful reintegration of Transnistria and substantial economic support from international partners, citing Moldova's limited budget. The region has been under pro-Russian separatist control since the early 1990s.