Russia expressed regret on Thursday over the expiration of the New START treaty limiting strategic nuclear forces, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. President Vladimir Putin had previously indicated that Moscow was ready to continue observing the treaty’s limits for one year after its expiration, provided the United States did the same.
Key points from Peskov included that the treaty was discussed during talks between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who highlighted the negative consequences of the expiration for the international system. China, however, considers participating in New START discussions impractical, a position Russia respects. Moscow emphasized that it will act in accordance with its national interests while maintaining a responsible and cautious approach to strategic nuclear stability.
Peskov also noted that talks on a Ukraine peace deal in Abu Dhabi are ongoing, but it is too early to draw conclusions, and Russian negotiators there report directly to Putin. He declined to confirm or deny reports of a visit to Moscow by an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron and dismissed claims that Jeffrey Epstein had worked for Russian intelligence as not credible.
