Putin Dangles a Nuclear Arms Treaty While Accusing Ukraine of ‘Hysteria’

The last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia will expire in February 2026. While answering questions in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin dangled the possibility of extending it. The cost of the nuclear arms control treaty was subtle but clear. Putin wants everyone to ignore Kyiv’s “hysteria” over not being part of the negotiations for the end of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is an Obama-era treaty between the U.S. and Russia that limited the strategic nuclear arsenals of both countries. Putin suspended Russia’s participation in the treaty in 2023. At the time, he said that he’d only start enforcing the treaty again if the U.S. stopped delivering aid to Ukraine and wrapped the U.K. and France into the treaty. According to the Russian state-backed news agency TASS, Putin has put New START back on the table. “Everyone has probably forgotten about it,” Putin said. “I would like to remind you that ... Read full article.