‘No big deal for us’: Putin says Russia ready to match US in arms race; warns others may test nukes

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia would not worry if the United States decides not to extend the New START treaty, which limits nuclear warheads and expires next year.The New START treaty, signed in 2010 between the United States and Russia, limits each side to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 700 delivery systems, including missiles and bombers. It also allows mutual inspections and data exchanges to ensure compliance and maintain transparency in nuclear arms control.Putin said that it would be a “shame” if nothing remained of the long-standing arms control framework between the two powers, reports new agency Reuters.Speaking to reporters at a summit in Tajikistan, Putin said that an arms race was already underway and confirmed that Russia was continuing to develop and test new-generation nuclear weapons. “Will these few months be enough to make a decision on an extension? I think it will be enough if there is goodwill to extend these agreements. And if the Americans decide they don't need it, that's not a big deal for us,” he said.The Russian leader noted that Moscow was ready to voluntarily keep the limits defined under the New START treaty if Washington agreed to do the same. The START agreement is due to expire in February. The United States has yet to formally respond to Russia’s offer.“We're ready to negotiate if it's acceptable and useful for the Americans. If not, then no, but that would be a shame, because then there would be nothing left in terms of deterrence in the area of strategic offensive weapons,” Putin said.Without naming, Putin also warned that other countries might be preparing to carry out nuclear tests. “So some countries are thinking about it; as far as I know, they're even preparing, and that's why I said that if they do it, we'll do the same,” he said, adding that extending the treaty “for at least a year is a good idea.”