Russia Extends New START Adherence
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Sep 22, 2025 · Last updated Sep 22, 2025
The conditional extension of the New START treaty by Russia, as announced by Vladimir Putin, introduces a degree of predictability in nuclear arms control, potentially easing market anxieties related to an unconstrained arms race. However, the ongoing tensions between Russia and the United States, and the conditional nature of Russia's adherence, mean that geopolitical risks remain elevated, which could lead to continued volatility in defense stocks and broader market sentiment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will adhere to the nuclear arms limits of the New START treaty for one more year after its expiration in February 2026, urging the United States to reciprocate. Vladimir Putin emphasized that the termination of New START would have negative consequences for global stability and could fuel nuclear weapons proliferation. While Russia suspended its participation in the treaty's inspections in February 2023 due to tensions with the United States and NATO over Ukraine, it has continued to respect the caps on nuclear weapons. Vladimir Putin also instructed Russian agencies to closely monitor United States activities regarding strategic offensive arms, particularly plans to expand the United States missile defense system, including the deployment of interceptors in space. The New START treaty, signed by then-Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. Arms control advocates, including Arms Control Association of the Arms Control Association, welcomed Vladimir Putin's statement as a positive step towards reducing tensions and preventing a costly arms race.
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