Trump and Putin Towards a New Understanding: The "New START" Treaty Returns to the Fore

In a notable shift in nuclear relations between the two superpowers, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted yesterday, Sunday, at his readiness to extend the "New START" treaty with Russia, following a proposal from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to extend the agreement for an additional year.

Trump stated in a remark made from the White House in response to a question from a journalist regarding the Russian proposal:

"It seems to me a wise idea."

The "New START" treaty, which is the last major existing agreement between the United States and Russia to limit nuclear weapons, is approaching its expiration date on February 5, 2026, just about 4 months away.

Putin's move represents a call to buy time by extending its validity for another year amid escalating international tensions and increasing nuclear risks.

The treaty was signed in 2010 and aims to limit the spread of offensive nuclear weapons in both countries. It stipulates the following:

• No more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads for each party.

• Limiting the number of heavy missile launchers (land, sea, and air) to 800 platforms, whether deployed or not deployed.

• Implementing a mutual verification system to ensure transparency and compliance.

However, the treaty suffered a severe blow after Moscow suspended its participation in 2023, amid the war in Ukraine and the intensifying confrontation with the West, leading to the cessation of mutual inspections and monitoring.

Earlier this year, Trump announced a new vision for nuclear disarmament through negotiations with both Moscow and Beijing.

He revealed his plan to modernize U.S. defensive capabilities by creating an advanced missile defense system under the name "Golden Dome," which is quite similar to the concept of the "Iron Dome" but on a larger scale to protect the United States from any strategic threats.

For its part, Russia, through several officials, confirmed its readiness to enter into serious negotiations with Washington regarding arms reduction, considering that extending "New START" for another year could pave the way for broader agreements on global strategic security.

This development comes at a delicate moment where U.S.-Russian relations are experiencing sharp tension, amidst a new arms race looming on the horizon.

Does extending "New START" represent a glimmer of hope on a long road towards reducing the global nuclear arsenal?

The coming days will reveal the outcomes of this rare rapprochement.