News Brief
'Not A Big Deal': Russia Not Concerned If US Declines Nuclear Treaty Extension, Says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday (10 October) that Moscow is developing new strategic weapons and would not consider it critical if the United States refuses to extend the warhead limits outlined in the New START nuclear treaty, which expires next year.
Speaking at a summit in Tajikistan following the CIS leaders’ meeting in Dushanbe, Putin emphasised the ongoing arms race between nuclear powers.
He expressed concern about the potential collapse of the arms control system, stating that it would be a pity if nothing left of the arms control framework between the two countries, which have by far the world's largest nuclear arsenals.
Russia has offered to voluntarily extend the New START treaty if the United States reciprocates, but Washington has not yet formally accepted the proposal.
"Will these few months be enough to make a decision on an extension? I think it will be enough if there is goodwill to extend these agreements. And if the Americans decide they don't need it, that's not a big deal for us," Putin was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
“We're ready to negotiate if it's acceptable and useful for the Americans. If not, then no, but that would be a shame, because then there would be nothing left in terms of deterrence in the area of strategic offensive weapons," the Russian President said.
For the second time in a week, Putin mentioned that other countries—though he did not name them—might conduct nuclear tests, saying, “So some countries are thinking about it; as far as I know, they're even preparing, and that's why I said that if they do it, we'll do the same.”
He acknowledged the security benefits of testing but warned it would worsen the arms race, while emphasising that “extending the New START Treaty for at least a year is a good idea.”
