MOSCOW, January 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into a law a bill extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) until February 5, 2026, the Kremlin press service said in a statement published on its website.

"The federal law ratifies the agreement on extending the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States, dated April 8, 2010, which Russia and the US made on January 26, 2021, through an exchange of notes," the statement reads.

According to the Kremlin press service, the federal law enters into force on the day of its official publication.

"The extension of the treaty is in line with Russia’s national interests as it makes it possible to maintain transparency and predictability in strategic relations between Russia and the US and preserve global strategic stability. Besides, it will have a positive effect on the international situation, contributing to the nuclear disarmament process," the statement adds.

New START

New START, which was signed in 2010 and came into force in 2011, limits Russia and the US to no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, no more than 1,550 deployed warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers.

Moscow repeatedly urged Washington not to delay a decision on extending the treaty, which was set to expire on February 5, 2021. However, the Trump administration was reluctant to extend the treaty and insisted on expanding it to include China, but Beijing rejected the idea.

Joe Biden administration took a different position. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a briefing on January 22 that the US authorities sought to extend the treaty for five years.

On January 26, Moscow and Washington exchanged notes on extending New START. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Joseph Biden of the United States welcomed the move in a telephone call. On the same day, Putin submitted a bill on extending New START for five years to the State Duma (the lower house of parliament).