US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin might discuss options for mutual nuclear restrictions during their upcoming interaction, Arms Control Association (ACA) Executive Director Daryl Kimball told RIA Novosti on Monday.

According to Kimball, neither leader has presented a plan regarding Russia's strategic arsenal, but discussions regarding Ukraine are expected to take place during the presidents' upcoming interaction, while discussions for nuclear restrictions could potentially arise, particularly after the expiration of New START. 

The ACA chief further stressed the importance of establishing nuclear constraints, adding that "While trust may be at an all-time low, that is all the more reason for the two sides to avoid unconstrained strategic nuclear competition now or in the future."

Moscow suspends New START

In February 2023, Putin declared that Russia would withdraw from the New START treaty. The Russian Foreign Ministry then issued a statement clarifying that Moscow would be assessing the limitations resulting from the New START nuclear treaty rather than immediately rendering it null.

"Russia intends to adhere to a responsible approach and will continue to strictly comply with the quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms stipulated by it [New START] within the life cycle of the treaty," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. 

The foreign ministry explained that this decision comes in response to the US' increasing hostility towards Russia, via Ukraine, which effectively violates the treaty.

The bilateral treaty signed back in 2010 effectively serves as a treaty for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons between the two major powers under a set of conditions that ensure the safety of both parties.