Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that Russia is unfazed by the potential U.S. refusal to extend the New START treaty, which limits nuclear warheads and expires in February 2026. Speaking at a summit in Tajikistan, Putin emphasized that while an arms race is already underway, Russia is actively developing new strategic weapons and is prepared to proceed without the treaty.

The New START treaty, a cornerstone of nuclear arms control between Russia and the United States—the world's largest nuclear powers—sets caps on deployed warheads. Russia has proposed a voluntary extension of these limits, but the U.S. has yet to commit. "If the Americans decide they don't need it, that's not a big deal for us," Putin told reporters, though he noted it would be "a shame" if the arms control framework collapsed entirely.

Putin highlighted Russia's ongoing efforts to develop and test next-generation nuclear weapons, signaling readiness to negotiate if the U.S. finds it beneficial. However, he warned that the absence of such agreements would eliminate strategic deterrence mechanisms. For the second time in a week, Putin alluded to the possibility of other nations conducting nuclear tests, a practice only North Korea has undertaken this century. He indicated Russia would follow suit if others tested, stating, "If they do it, we'll do the same."

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Security experts warn that such tests could escalate global tensions, already heightened, by prompting other nuclear powers to conduct their own. Putin acknowledged the temptation to test aging missile fuel, noting that while computer simulations are deemed sufficient by some experts, others advocate for physical tests. He described extending New START for at least another year as a "good idea" for security, but cautioned that new tests could fuel the arms race.

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