The president stressed that allowing the deal to expire would be a big mistake

Russia is prepared to continue abiding by the New START treaty on nuclear arms for one year even after it expires next February, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Speaking at a meeting with the permanent members of Russia's Security Council on Monday, Putin said that due to the hostile and destructive steps taken by the West in recent years, the foundations of constructive relations and cooperation between nuclear-armed states have been significantly undermined.

He stressed that these systems have long served to stabilize the situation between Russia and the US, who possess the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world, and contributed to global stability and international security.

One such system, Putin noted, is the New START treaty signed in 2010 by Russia and the US. He emphasized that it is the last remaining bilateral agreement limiting nuclear weapons but is set to expire in February 2026.

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