Putin Says Russia Can Handle U.S. Refusal To Extend Nuclear Treaty

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow is advancing its development of strategic weapons and would face no serious consequences if the United States chose not to extend the warhead limits outlined in the nuclear arms treaty set to expire next year.

He said it would, however, be a shame if nothing remained of the arms control framework between the two countries, which have by far the world’s biggest nuclear arsenals.

Speaking to reporters at a summit in Tajikistan, Putin said an arms race was already in progress.

Russia has said it is willing to voluntarily extend the warhead limits defined in the New START nuclear treaty, which expires in February, if the United States is willing to do the same. Washington has not yet formally agreed to the proposal.

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