Putin: Russia Is Developing New Nuclear Weapons

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted that Moscow will soon unveil a newly developed weapon for its vast nuclear arsenal the largest in the world. His remarks come as the New START Treaty, the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, is set to expire in February 2026, raising global concerns about a potential renewed nuclear arms race.

Speaking at a press conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, following a summit of former Soviet states, Putin said that Russia’s nuclear deterrence systems are “more advanced than any other nuclear power.” He added that all of Russia’s previously announced defense projects are “progressing” and “being perfected,” according to the state news agency TASS.

Escalating Tensions Between Russia and the West

The announcement comes amid worsening relations between Russia and NATO, fueled by the ongoing war in Ukraine, alleged airspace violations, and cyberattacks. Western nations accuse Moscow of conducting aggressive operations and sabotage plots accusations the Kremlin denies.

Both sides increasingly describe the situation as a form of hybrid warfare, raising fears of a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.

Putin Warns of a New Global Arms Race

Putin acknowledged that “a certain kind of arms race is indeed underway” and warned that some countries are already “preparing for nuclear testing.” While he did not name specific nations, he suggested that several are considering resuming full-scale nuclear tests for the first time in decades.

“There’s always the temptation to check the effectiveness of warheads that have been in storage for many years,” Putin said. “Everything can be simulated on computers, but some experts believe real testing is necessary. If they do it, we’ll do the same.”

He added that, from Russia’s standpoint, such actions might strengthen national security, though they could also further fuel global competition in nuclear weapons development.

The Future of the New START Treaty

The New START Treaty, signed in 2010, limits both Washington and Moscow to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and includes verification measures. However, with the treaty set to lapse in just over a year, there is no replacement agreement currently under discussion.

The Kremlin has said it will honor the treaty’s terms for one additional year after it expires, while former U.S. President Donald Trump has called that move “a good idea.” Still, without a formal extension or new accord, arms control experts warn that the world could soon enter a new era of nuclear instability.

According to data from the Federation of American Scientists, Russia possesses 5,459 nuclear warheads, with 1,718 deployed, while the United States holds 5,177 warheads, of which 1,770 are deployed.