US reviewing Putin’s proposal to extend New START restrictions: Lavrov
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Lavrov says the US is considering Putin’s proposal to maintain New START restrictions beyond 2026, stressing the offer is simple and needs only reciprocity.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a joint news conference with Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev following their talks at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow, Russia, on October 22, 2025. (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Sunday that the United States has informed Moscow, via diplomatic channels, that it is currently considering Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain the restrictions outlined in the New START treaty beyond February 2026.
"There has been no substantive response from Washington yet. As we were told through diplomatic channels, the matter is under consideration," the minister said.
The proposal, which falls under the framework of post-2026 START restrictions, involves maintaining the current limits set by the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty without renegotiating new terms.
Lavrov emphasized that the idea is straightforward and lacks any hidden agenda, suggesting that its implementation should be simple and should not require prolonged discussions.
"The constructive initiative put forward by President Putin in the post-New START sphere speaks for itself. It has no hidden agenda and is extremely easy to understand. Its practical implementation will not require any specific additional efforts. Therefore, we see no need for in-depth discussion of our idea," he said.
Russia will not persuade US but hopes for positive outcome
Lavrov stressed that Moscow would not pressure Washington into accepting the proposal, stating that the decision lies with the United States. "We are not going to persuade anyone. We believe that our act meets the interests of both parties and the entire international community. We are prepared for any developments. However, we hope that the outcome will be positive," Lavrov said.
The Russian Foreign Minister reiterated that Russia’s adherence to the proposed limits would be contingent on a reciprocal approach from the United States.
Putin had earlier stated that Russia is ready to continue observing START restrictions for one year after the treaty’s scheduled expiration on February 5, 2026, provided that Washington also complies. The initiative, according to Lavrov, is rooted in mutual interest and requires no complex negotiations to implement.
On a related note, earlier this month, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, said that Russia is ready to adhere to the quantitative limits of the New START nuclear arms treaty beyond its expiration in 2026, but only if the United States does the same.
"The proposal by President Vladimir Putin to continue observing the limits under New START after February 5, 2026, remains valid," Gatilov told RIA Novosti. "Naturally, we will do so only on the basis of reciprocity from the US side."
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