• Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a one-year extension to the New START nuclear arms treaty, set to expire in February 2026.
  • The offer, which requires reciprocal action from the U.S., comes amid a suspension of Russia's participation in the treaty's verification mechanisms.
  • A White House official confirmed the administration is reviewing the proposal, a move closely watched by global security allies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly offered to extend the New START treaty for one year, a proposal that has now been formally received by the White House. According to an administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, President Donald Trump is aware of the offer, which is contingent on U.S. reciprocation. The treaty, which limits each side to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads, is scheduled to sunset on February 5, 2026.

The development introduces a potential off-ramp from a complete lapse of the last major nuclear arms control pact between the two nations. The offer was characterized by a person familiar with the matter as a "significant diplomatic opening," though they cautioned that the conditionality and short duration present immediate hurdles. The White House has not yet issued a formal response, and efforts to reach the National Security Council for additional comment were not immediately successful.

This outreach occurs against a complex backdrop. Russia suspended its participation in the treaty's inspection and verification regime in February 2023, citing U.S. positions on Ukraine, though it has publicly stated it will continue to adhere to the pact's central numerical limits. The one-year extension, if agreed upon, would provide a narrow window for negotiators to attempt to broker a more lasting replacement framework or address modern technical challenges not covered by the original agreement.

Arms control experts and NATO allies are urging a cautious but receptive approach. "Allowing New START to expire without any successor would be a grave error," a European diplomat said, echoing a sentiment widely held among U.S. partners. The treaty is broadly viewed as a cornerstone of strategic stability, and its potential collapse is seen as a catalyst for an unconstrained nuclear arms race. The White House's next move will be scrutinized for signals about the administration's broader arms control priorities in its final months.