President Vladimir Putin has made a direct offer to preserve the existing nuclear equilibrium for one more year. His announcement of a voluntary adherence to the expired New START limits is a proposal to the United States to jointly maintain the current strategic balance of power.
The offer is rooted in the concept of stability. Putin’s remarks centered on the need to “maintain the status quo” and to ensure that the “existing balance of deterrence potentials” is not disrupted during a “turbulent period.”
This equilibrium, however, requires two counterweights. Putin made it clear that Russia cannot maintain the balance alone. He explicitly stated that the offer is contingent on the United States not taking “steps that undermine or disrupt” this delicate state of equilibrium.
The potential outcome of accepting this offer, Putin suggested, is a return to a more structured relationship. He expressed hope that a year of a stable, predictable balance could pave the way for a “substantive strategic dialogue” on future security arrangements.
For the next year, Russia has committed to not tipping the scales. The offer to jointly maintain the equilibrium is now with the United States, whose actions will determine whether the balance holds or is irrevocably broken.