Today marks six months since the expiry of the 2010 New START Treaty, and no dialogue whatsoever regarding a better one. The current lack of any progress in the field of strategic arms reduction is probably not the biggest problem in terms of ensuring Russia’s military security, but by the 2030s it could become a serious challenge. By that time, new nuclear delivery systems and new warheads will begin to appear in the US arsenal. It is likely that, by that time, decisions may also be taken to increase the total number of next-gen B-21 ‘Raider’ heavy bombers to be procured, as well as to equip the next-gen ‘Sentinel’ ICBM with MIRV and other fancy payloads. It would be interesting to observe all this activity through on-site inspections, rather than relying solely on national technical means. Possible limitations might allow Russian resources to be redirected towards strengthening its general-purpose forces. At the same juncture, it cannot be ruled out that issues relating to the expansion of the nuclear arsenals of France and the UK may also move into the practical realm. Overall, Russia (as well as China) has greater capacity to participate in the unfolding nuclear arms race compared with other nuclear powers; however, the experience of the previous Cold War showed that there are no winners in such a race – everyone loses. Against a backdrop of general deterioration in international security, it cannot be ruled out that ‘defeat’ in this race (just as much as any attempt to prevent such a defeat by force) could now prove catastrophic not only for the participants in the arms race, but for humanity as a whole.

August 5 marks six months without New START. A source in the RU MFA sais there is no dialogue between Russia and US on this issue, and Moscow sees no point in putting forward new initiatives—such as the one to which the US did not even respond last year. kommersant.ru/doc/8862428

5 августа исполняется полгода без ДСНВ. Источник Ъ в МИД РФ пояснил, что никакого диалога по этой теме между Россией и США сейчас нет, а выступать с новыми инициативами - вроде той, на которую США даже не дали ответа в том году - Россия не видит смысла. kommersant.ru/doc/8862428

From Axios: "Trump rejected Putin offer to move Iran's uranium to Russia." If he really gives a damn about blocking Iran's pathways to a bomb, why would Trump reject this practical option for dealing with its HEU? axios.com/2026/03/13/iran-nu…

It was a big honour and a great pleasure to have you at the MNS, Director General Grossi

A BIG BEAUTYFUL TREATY🤨

Уходит эпоха. / An epoch is gone.

Some thoughts by @sandrermakof on ersatz-SLCM-N plans; kommersant.ru/doc/8118706 [In Russian]

Dep Foreign Minister Ryabkov on the fact that Russia can do without a response from US if they aren't interested in President Putin's New START initiative: "The point is that we proposed it, it is an outstretched hand, and if they are not interested, we will manage without it."

Замглавы МИД РФ Сергей Рябков о том, что Россия может обойтись без реакции США в случае отсутствия у них интереса к инициативе президента Владимира Путина о ДСНВ: "Смысл такой, что мы это предложили, это протянутая рука, если им это не интересно, мы без этого обойдемся".

"Russia is not making such proposals to please anyone" — Academic of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey Arbatov on the U.S. reaction to the Russian initiative on the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) kommersant.ru/doc/8098707

«Россия выдвигает такие предложения не для того, чтобы кому-то угодить» Академик РАН Алексей Арбатов — о реакции США на российскую инициативу по Договору о стратегических наступательных вооружениях (ДСНВ) kommersant.ru/doc/8098707

"A global political event" Former Russian Ambassador to the United States, head of the Russian delegation in the START negotiations Anatoly Antonov on Vladimir Putin’s new proposal in the field of arms control kommersant.ru/doc/8059679 (mentioning @DarylGKimball )

«Мировое политическое событие» Бывший посол РФ в США, глава российской делегации на переговорах по ДСНВ Анатолий Антонов — о новом предложении Владимира Путина в сфере контроля над вооружениями kommersant.ru/doc/8059679

Ограничение срока бездействия // Владимир Путин сделал США неожиданное предложение по ядерным вооружениям kommersant.ru/doc/8059163

kremlin.ru/events/president/… Full version of President Putin's statement on the readiness to comply with New START limits one year after its expiration if the US do so as well

kremlin.ru/events/president/… Полная версия заявления президента В.Путина о готовности России еще год после фев 2026 придерживаться потолков ДСНВ, если США ответят зеркально

Putin: Russia is capable of responding to any existing and emerging threats—not just in words, but through the use of military-technical measures. However, Russia is not interested in escalating tensions or fueling an arms race.

Путин: Россия в состоянии ответить на любые существующие и вновь возникающие угрозы: ответить не на словах, а путем применения военно-технических мер. Но Россия не заинтересована в наращивании напряженности и подстегивании гонки вооружений.

Russia is ready to comply with the quantitative limits of the New START Treaty for one year after its expiration — Putin