New START officially extended to 2026: Russian Foreign Ministry

Russia and the United States have officially extended the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by five years as the agreement on the extension of the key nuclear pact entered into force Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry exchanged diplomatic notes on the completion of all domestic procedures required for the treaty's extension with the U.S. embassy, it said in a statement.

"The New START treaty will operate in the form it was signed, without any changes or additions, until February 5, 2026," it added.

According to the ministry, the telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States on Jan. 26 was key for this development to proceed.

"We hope that the understanding reached with Washington regarding the fate of the landmark treaty for international security will help overcome the tendency that has prevailed in recent years as a result of the destructive U.S. policy on breaking arms control and nonproliferation mechanisms," the ministry emphasized.

It was added that Russia is ready to continue constructive dialogue with the United States to achieve new results that would strengthen the strategic stability in the world.