MOSCOW, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between Russia and the United States serves as a foundation for building mutual trust, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
Medvedev said Russia's proposal to the U.S. side to extend for one year the restrictions set by the New START treaty remains on the table. "If the American side wishes to extend, then this can be done," he added.
Commenting on the possible expiration of the New START treaty on Feb. 5, Medvedev said that the termination would not mean an immediate catastrophe or the outbreak of a nuclear war, but it should "still alarm everyone."
The New START treaty, signed by Russia and the United States in 2010, aims to limit the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles. The treaty entered into force on Feb. 5, 2011, with an original validity period of 10 years and was later extended to Feb. 5, 2026.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September 2025 that Russia would continue to observe the core limits of the treaty for one year after its expiration, provided that the U.S. refrains from actions that undermine the existing strategic balance.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in January that he was not concerned about the treaty's impending expiration and expressed hope that the two sides would reach a new agreement. ■
