Dushanbe, Tajikistan, October 11(HS): Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on Friday that Moscow would not consider it a major issue if the United States chooses not to extend the limits on nuclear warheads under the New START treaty, which is set to expire in February 2026.

Speaking to reporters at a summit in Tajikistan, Putin acknowledged that an arms race is already underway and emphasized Russia’s active development and testing of next-generation strategic weapons.Putin noted that while Russia is open to negotiations and extending the treaty if the U.S. shows goodwill, Moscow is prepared for the possibility that Washington might not agree, which would unfortunately lead to a breakdown of the arms control framework between the two nations—holders of the world's largest nuclear arsenals.

He described it as a shame if the agreement collapses but affirmed Russia's readiness to continue bolstering its defense capabilities independently.The Russian leader also warned of the prospect that other unnamed countries could conduct nuclear tests, hinting at potential retaliatory testing by Russia—raising concerns about escalating geopolitical tensions and a further arms race.

Despite these risks, Putin suggested that extending the New START treaty, even for just one year, remains a positive step to maintain some level of strategic arms control.This statement comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of nuclear arms agreements between major powers, with the global security environment marked by heightened tensions and rapid military modernization efforts.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar