Lavrov Confirms U.S. Reviewing Putin’s Offer to Extend Nuclear Treaty, Signals Willingness to Meet Marco Rubio

Washington Reviewing Moscow’s New START Proposal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that the United States has acknowledged receiving President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain the core limitations of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) even after its scheduled expiration in February 2026.

Speaking to the state news agency RIA Novosti, Lavrov said that Washington had informed Moscow through diplomatic channels that “the issue is under consideration,” but no formal or substantive reply had been received.

The New START treaty, signed in 2010 and extended once in 2021, remains the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the world’s two largest nuclear powers. It caps the number of deployed strategic warheads at 1,550 and restricts both countries’ delivery systems.

President Putin recently proposed that Russia could voluntarily continue adhering to those limits for an additional year after the treaty’s expiration — provided that the United States does the same. The move is seen as an attempt to maintain a minimal level of strategic stability amid the collapse of most Cold War-era arms agreements.

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Arms Control at a Crossroads

The U.S. suspended formal dialogue on arms control with Russia in 2022 following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, both nations have accused each other of undermining the spirit of New START.

Analysts say that if New START expires without renewal or replacement, it would mark the first time in more than five decades that no treaty constrains the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia.

“Even limited cooperation would be valuable,” said Dr. Matthew Kroenig, a security analyst at Georgetown University. “A one-year extension could at least buy time to avoid an unregulated arms race.”

However, skepticism remains high in Washington. The U.S. State Department has previously accused Russia of violating inspection provisions under the treaty — a charge Moscow denies.

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Lavrov Open to Meeting Rubio

In a separate remark, Lavrov said he was ready to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss both strategic stability and the conflict in Ukraine.

He added that “Russia’s national interests must be respected for there to be peace,” signaling that Moscow would not compromise on what it views as its core security concerns.

The Kremlin also dismissed recent reports suggesting that Lavrov had fallen out of favor with President Putin. Speculation grew after diplomatic efforts to arrange a new summit between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump were quietly shelved last month.

Media outlets including Reuters and The Financial Times reported that Washington had backed away from the summit after Lavrov’s ministry conveyed Moscow’s unwillingness to soften its stance on Ukraine. A source quoted by the FT said that a tense conversation between Lavrov and Rubio may have further discouraged the U.S. from proceeding.

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The Broader Picture

While Lavrov’s comments signal Russia’s readiness to keep dialogue channels open, observers note that the geopolitical backdrop remains fraught. Washington and Moscow are locked in a deep freeze over Ukraine, sanctions, and mutual espionage accusations.

Still, Lavrov’s acknowledgment of ongoing communication — however limited — suggests that both capitals may be quietly exploring ways to prevent total diplomatic breakdown before New START lapses.

“The fact that talks are even under consideration is significant,” said Angela Stent, a former U.S. State Department adviser on Russia. “But without progress on Ukraine, it’s difficult to see arms control advancing in isolation.”