Russia says again it will abide by lapsed weapons treaty - if U.S. does

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced in an official statement from Moscow on Monday that the Russian Federation intends to continue observing the quantitative limitations established by the New START nuclear treaty, despite its formal expiration and current suspension. This strategic decision serves as a conditional commitment to maintain global nuclear stability, provided that the United States also refrains from exceeding the warhead and delivery vehicle caps outlined in the original agreement. The announcement comes amidst deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two superpowers, as the Kremlin seeks to place the burden of strategic restraint on Washington. While Russia officially suspended its participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in early 2023, citing U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict, this latest diplomatic communication suggests a desire to avoid a total nuclear arms race. The ministry emphasized that the decision to abide by the lapsed limits is a voluntary measure intended to prevent further destabilization of the international security architecture. By maintaining these ceilings, Moscow aims to preserve a level of predictability in the strategic balance of power, even as formal inspections and data exchanges remain largely frozen. Security analysts view this move as a complex signaling exercise meant to project a responsible image to the international community while simultaneously exerting pressure on the Biden administration. The New START treaty, which was the last remaining major nuclear arms control agreement between the world's two largest nuclear powers, originally limited both nations to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads. Without a formal successor or a mutual agreement to resume inspections, the global community remains concerned that any perceived violation by either side could trigger a rapid expansion of nuclear arsenals.