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Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western nations of dismantling decades of international security frameworks and warned of the risks of a new arms race if dialogue is not restored.
Speaking on the future of nuclear stability, Putin said that the system of U.S.-Soviet and U.S.-Russian agreements that had long underpinned global security has been “nearly dismantled” as a result of “destabilising doctrines and military-technical programs” from the West.
He stressed that Russia remains capable of addressing any security threats, citing Moscow’s decision to end its unilateral moratorium on ground-based short- and intermediate-range missiles in response to U.S. and allied deployments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
Despite sharp criticism of Washington, Putin indicated that Russia would maintain the central limits of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) for one year beyond its February 5, 2026 expiry. However, he warned this would only be possible if the United States refrained from actions undermining strategic balance.
“Renouncing the legacy of this treaty would be a grave and short-sighted mistake,” Putin said, adding that abandoning New START would harm global non-proliferation goals. He further cautioned against U.S. plans to expand missile defence, including potential deployment of interceptors in space, calling such moves destabilising.
Putin argued that Russia’s proposal could help preserve stability and create conditions for renewed dialogue, but only if Washington showed “similar spirit” and worked to ease broader security tensions.
The Russian leader concluded that Moscow’s approach is not aimed at escalating tensions but at ensuring predictability, restraint, and the preservation of global strategic balance.
This is Vladimir Putins full speech on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START):
Vladimir Putin on International Security
As a result of the destructive actions previously taken by Western countries, the foundations of constructive relations and practical cooperation between nuclear powers have been significantly undermined. The basis for dialogue within relevant bilateral and multilateral frameworks has been eroded. Gradually, the system of Soviet-American and Russian-American agreements on nuclear missile and strategic defence arms control – long relied upon to stabilise relations between the two largest nuclear powers and to enhance global security – has been nearly dismantled.
Let me reiterate: we have repeatedly examined the causes and potential consequences of this situation. We attribute the numerous challenges that have accumulated in the strategic sphere since the beginning of the 21st century to the destructive actions of the West, their destabilising doctrines and military-technical programmes designed to undermine global parity and pursue absolute, overwhelming superiority.
We have consistently and thoroughly addressed these issues, criticised this approach, and not only highlighted the extreme dangers of further deterioration but also repeatedly proposed concrete ideas for joint solutions. However, our warnings and initiatives have not received a clear response.
Let me emphasise and let there be no doubt: Russia is fully capable of responding to any current or emerging threat, not with words, but through concrete military-technical measures. A clear example is our decision to end the unilateral moratorium on the deployment of ground-based short- and intermediate-range missiles. This was a forced move needed for ensuring an adequate response to the deployment of similar US and other Western-made weapons in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, which poses a direct threat to Russia’s security.
Our plans to strengthen the country’s defence capability are being developed with full regard to the evolving international situation, and they are being implemented in a comprehensive and timely manner. We are confident in the reliability and effectiveness of our national deterrent forces. At the same time, we are not seeking to further escalate tensions or fuel an arms race. Russia has consistently upheld the primacy of political and diplomatic methods for maintaining global peace, based on the principles of equality, the indivisibility of security, and mutual respect for interests.
Let me remind you that the last major political and diplomatic achievement in the field of strategic stability was the conclusion of the Russian-American New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in 2010. However, owing to the profoundly hostile policies of the Biden administration, which undermined the fundamental principles on which this treaty was built, its full implementation was suspended in 2023.
Nevertheless, both parties have declared their intention to continue voluntarily observing the central quantitative limits of the strategic offensive arms treaty until its expiry.
For nearly 15 years, this agreement has played a constructive role in maintaining balance and predictability in the sphere of strategic offensive weapons.
The New START Treaty will expire on February 5, 2026, signalling the imminent end of the last international accord directly limiting nuclear missile capabilities. A complete renunciation of this treaty’s legacy would, from many points, be a grave and short-sighted mistake. It would also have adverse implications for the objectives of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
In order to prevent the emergence of a new strategic arms race and to preserve an acceptable degree of predictability and restraint, we consider it reasonable to maintain at this turbulent time the status quo established under New START. Accordingly, Russia is prepared to continue observing the treaty’s central quantitative restrictions for one year after February 5, 2026.
Following that date, based on a careful assessment of the situation, we will make a definite decision on whether to uphold these voluntary self-limitations. We believe that this measure is only feasible if the United States acts in a similar spirit and refrains from steps that would undermine or disrupt the existing balance of deterrence.
In this connection, I would like to ask the relevant agencies to maintain close oversight of American activities related to the START arsenal in the first place. Particular attention must be directed towards US plans to expand strategic components of its missile defence system, including preparations for the deployment of interceptors in outer space. We believe that the practical implementation of such destabilising measures could nullify our efforts to maintain the status quo in the field of strategic offensive arms. We will respond appropriately in this case.
I believe that Russia’s initiative, if implemented, could make a substantial contribution to creating the conditions necessary for a substantive strategic dialogue with the United States – provided, of course, that the grounds for its full resumption are secured and that broader steps are taken to normalise bilateral relations and remove core security contradictions.