Putin Warns of Nuclear Development as US-Russia New START Treaty Approaches Expiration

Oct 11, 2025 08:49 am CST

President Vladimir Putin announced Russia's ongoing development of strategic nuclear weapons while indicating indifference to US participation in extending the New START treaty expiring in 2025. Amid an accelerating arms race, Putin warned that Russia stands ready to conduct nuclear tests if other nations do so first, highlighting growing concerns about the future of nuclear arms control between the world's largest nuclear powers.