US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien at a press conference in Washington, DC (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

US President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien reiterated the US proposal of an extension of New START for one year, during which both countries cap all nuclear warheads, referring to both strategic and tactical ones. He added the US hoped that Russia will reevaluate its position before a costly arms race ensues.

In 2010, Washington and Moscow signed the New START, which stipulates the limits to the numbers of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems by both. This last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers will expire on Feb. 5, 2021.