According to the TASS news agency, Lavrov said the treaty’s extension could be announced any time before February 5, 2026 and this would be a unilateral act of goodwill by Russia, requiring no complicated consultations with the US.

Washington, he said, simply needs to confirm that it will maintain the treaty’s quantitative limits for one year to demonstrate its support.

Lavrov said both sides fully understand each other's strategic capabilities, and should take some time to calmly assess the situation, separate from the conflict in Ukraine, and take joint responsibility for global security by preventing nuclear war.