The initiative of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to voluntarily maintain limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons “seems like a good idea,” said US President Donald Trump, quoted by Reuters. Putin announced last month that Moscow is willing to continue to respect the limits provided by the New START agreement from 2010, which expires in February 2026, provided that the United States does the same.
The document limits the size of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals – those of the USA and Russia.
Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, recently stated that Moscow is still waiting for an official response from Washington regarding Putin’s suggestion to voluntarily extend the nuclear limits.
A possible agreement on the continuation of restrictions on strategic weapons would contrast with the increasing tensions between the two powers, against the backdrop of Russian drone incursions into NATO space and the continuous delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine.
In a video message broadcast on Sunday, Vladimir Putin issued a direct warning to Washington, stating that the delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could lead to a total breakdown in bilateral relations.
“This will lead to the destruction of our relations or, at least, of the positive trends that have appeared in these relations,” said the Russian leader.
US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that Kiev’s request to receive Tomahawk missiles is under review, but emphasized that a final decision has not yet been made.
An American official, quoted by Reuters, pointed out that the transfer of these missiles would be difficult, as the current stocks are reserved for the US Navy. Tomahawk missiles have a range of about 2,500 kilometers, which would place all of European Russia within their range if they were supplied to Ukraine.