President Vladimir Putin has made a limited-time offer to the United States: one year of Russian nuclear restraint, complete with a firm expiry date. The unilateral commitment to the old New START limits is a take-it-or-leave-it proposal for temporary de-escalation.
The offer was advertised as a pragmatic solution to a pressing problem. Putin said the goal was to “avoid provoking a further strategic arms race” and to maintain the status quo for a defined period, giving both sides a predictable framework to operate within.
The terms and conditions are clear. The offer is only valid if the U.S. reciprocates by showing similar restraint. Putin explicitly stated that the deal is off if Washington takes actions that “undermine or disrupt the existing balance,” making American compliance a mandatory part of the package.
A key benefit of accepting this offer, Putin noted, is the potential for future engagement. He suggested that a year of mutual compliance could lead to a “substantive strategic dialogue,” implying that this temporary deal could be a gateway to a more permanent one.
This limited-time offer is now on the table. The United States has one year to decide how to respond before the offer expires and Russia re-evaluates its strategic calculus based on the events of the preceding twelve months.