Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a one-year extension of the New START nuclear weapons treaty limits, contingent upon a similar commitment from the U.S. following its expiration in February 2026. This offer, made public during a Security Council meeting, is seen as a potential avenue for dialogue amid ongoing tensions exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Experts warn that if the treaty lapses, it could ignite an arms race between the two nations, which possess the largest nuclear arsenals globally. Putin emphasized the necessity of mutual adherence to maintain global non-proliferation, indicating a willingness to negotiate new arms control agreements, particularly if U.S. military activities do not destabilize the existing balance of power.