Putin Declares Expansion of Russia’s Nuclear Power an ‘Absolute Priority’ Following New START Expiry
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, announced that with the expiration of the New START treaty between Moscow and Washington, the development of Russia’s nuclear capabilities has become an ‘absolute priority.’ He stated that strengthening Russia’s nuclear triad will continue to ensure national security and maintain strategic deterrence.
Putin made these remarks in a video message commemorating Defender of the Fatherland Day, an occasion marked by military ceremonies and parades across Russia. He emphasized that, according to Moscow, the nuclear triad is considered a factor in maintaining the balance of power worldwide.
The Russian president also vowed to enhance the capabilities of the country’s army and navy, leveraging lessons learned from the four-year conflict with Ukraine. He noted that all branches of the armed forces will be strengthened in terms of combat readiness, mobility, and the ability to carry out missions under challenging conditions.
The New START treaty, signed in 2010 between the United States and Russia, was the last arms control agreement between the two countries. It set a limit of 800 launchers and 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads for each side and included mutual verification mechanisms.
With the treaty’s expiration on February 5, its limiting and monitoring framework came to an end. Washington did not respond to Putin’s proposal for a one-year extension of the established limits.
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, described the treaty’s expiration as a ‘critical moment’ for international peace and security and warned about the consequences of reduced oversight of nuclear arsenals.
