MOSCOW - Moscow is prepared to adhere to nuclear arms limits for one year following the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in February 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

"The New START Treaty expires on February 5, 2026, marking the imminent end of the last international agreement that directly limits nuclear missile capabilities," the Kremlin said in a statement, citing the president during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council.

Putin confirmed that Russia is ready to continue abiding by the treaty's core numerical limits for one year after 2026. He added that Moscow will later determine whether to maintain these voluntary restrictions based on evolving circumstances.

"We believe this measure will only be viable if the United States takes the same step and refrains from actions that undermine or violate the existing balance of deterrence capabilities," Putin said.

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He noted that Russia's initiative is intended to facilitate strategic dialogue with the United States and prevent the resumption of a strategic arms race.

Signed by Russia and the United States in 2010, the New START imposes caps on the number of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems. It remains the only active nuclear arms control agreement between the two nuclear superpowers. Moscow and Washington officially extended the treaty by five years in February 2021.

In February 2023, Putin signed legislation suspending Russia's participation in the New START, although the country did not withdraw from the treaty entirely.