Putin proposes Trump to extend nuclear agreement: what the new initiative entails.

According to The Sun: Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to extend the nuclear agreement with Donald Trump.

However, behind this diplomatic gesture, provocations from Russia continue to arise, which increase tension in Europe and force NATO allies to issue serious warnings.

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Putin emphasized the readiness to extend the agreement that limits nuclear arsenals between Washington and Moscow.

This agreement, officially titled the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start), will expire in February 2026. Putin proposes to extend its term for another year.

He informed his security cabinet:

“Russia is ready to continue adhering to the central numerical limits of the New Treaty for one year after February 5, 2026.”

 

“The next step, based on analysis of the situation, we will make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary self-limitations.”

 

“We believe that this measure will be feasible only if the United States acted similarly and did not take steps that undermine or violate the existing deterrence balance.”

Despite statements about a desire for peace in Ukraine, Putin has not overlooked new boundaries in recent days.

Russian drones violated Poland's airspace in a “deliberate” incursion, prompting NATO to intercept them from Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, and the USA.

This was the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since the beginning of the war.

Following this dangerous situation, the United Kingdom announced the dispatch of RAF fighters to Poland as part of a new NATO operation.

Last week, Russian planes brazenly entered Estonian airspace.

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In particular, the planes likely flew over Vaidloo Island and were in the air for almost 12 minutes.

Trump warned that the incursion could lead to “huge problems,” as NATO forces intercepted three MiGs.

The MiG-31 is capable of carrying dangerous Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which could be equipped with nuclear warheads.

While similar incursions occurred before, they rarely lasted this long.

Shortly thereafter, Polish authorities reported a “low flyby” of Russian military aircraft near a oil and gas platform.

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Poland and Estonia had to call for the activation of NATO Article 4.

This mechanism allows NATO members to urgently convene negotiations when they feel threatened to their “territorial integrity, political independence or security.”

Moreover, Putin harshly attacked Ukraine just hours after the situation in Estonia.

On Saturday, as a result of Russian bombings, at least three people were killed, and another 13 were injured across the country.

Ukraine announced a national air alert after Russians launched 580 drones and 40 cruise and ballistic missiles overnight, as reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

What is the New START treaty?

Patrick Harrington

NEW START, or the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, is an agreement between Russia and the USA regarding their nuclear arsenals.

Under the terms of the agreement, first signed at the end of the Cold War, both countries agreed to limit the number of non-strategic nuclear warheads that can be deployed.

This agreement also limits the number of ground and submarine-launched missiles as well as bombers that can deliver them.

The formal title of the agreement is Measures for Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.

New START continues previous treaties such as START I, signed in 1991, and START II, signed in 1993.

The current agreement expires in February 2026, but due to disagreements over the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Washington have not yet started negotiations on its extension.