Putin says developing Russia's nuclear forces 'absolute priority'
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that developing Russia's nuclear forces is now an "absolute priority" following the expiration of its last remaining nuclear treaty with the US. He emphasized the nuclear triad's role in guaranteeing Russia's security and maintaining global balance of forces.
On February 23, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared in a video address for Defender of the Fatherland Day that developing Russia's nuclear triad is now an "absolute priority" following the expiration of the New START treaty with the United States on February 5, 2026. Putin emphasized that the nuclear triad—comprising land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and strategic bombers—guarantees Russia's security and helps maintain global strategic balance. This statement came as Russia's last remaining nuclear arms control agreement with the US expired, leaving no binding limits on either country's nuclear arsenals for the first time in decades.
Putin's declaration reflects Russia's ongoing nuclear modernization program, which had reached approximately 92% completion by late 2025 according to Russian officials. The president highlighted Russia's development of unique nuclear systems like the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle and Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, positioning Russia's strategic forces as the world's most modern. In his address, Putin also pledged to strengthen Russia's conventional armed forces using lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which was approaching its fourth anniversary.
The context for Putin's statement includes Russia's September 2025 announcement that it would cease abiding by its unilateral moratorium on deploying ground-launched intermediate-range missiles, citing US missile deployments in the Philippines and other regions. Russia had previously proposed extending New START limits for one year after expiration, but this proposal did not materialize into a formal agreement. The Philippine Inquirer reported on Putin's statement through global news wires, noting the significance of the declaration amid heightened global tensions.
International reactions included calls from The Elders organization for the US and Russia to halt the nuclear arms race and negotiate new limits. The US and Russia had reportedly discussed nuclear arms in early February 2026 and agreed that talks needed to start soon, though US President Donald Trump sought to include China in any new arms control framework—a condition Beijing has consistently rejected. Putin's emphasis on nuclear development comes as Russia faces economic constraints from sanctions and military challenges in Ukraine, making nuclear deterrence a central component of its national security strategy.
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