U.S. Rejects Putin’s Offer for One‑Year New START Extension

Russia's Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system unit drives in Red Square during a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in central Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025.

The United States has turned down Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to voluntarily extend the deployment limits of the New START nuclear arms treaty for one additional year. The offer came after the treaty’s expiration, which marked the end of the last major arms control agreement between Washington and Moscow.

Push for a New Framework

President Donald Trump dismissed the idea of a short-term extension, arguing that the original treaty was outdated and had been undermined by Russia’s actions in recent years. He called for the development of a “modernized” nuclear agreement that would better reflect current global security challenges and remain durable for decades.

End of an Era in Arms Control

New START, signed in 2010, placed strict limits on deployed strategic nuclear warheads and included verification measures designed to reduce the risk of miscalculation between the two nuclear powers. With its expiration and no extension in place, both countries are now free to expand their strategic arsenals without constraint.

Uncertain Path Ahead

The rejection of the extension has raised concerns among arms control experts who fear a renewed arms race. While Russia signaled willingness to maintain limits temporarily, the U.S. decision shifts the focus toward negotiating a broader, more comprehensive agreement — though the timeline and prospects for such a deal remain unclear.