Putin Says Russia ‘Very Actively’ Developing New Nuclear Weapons

He hinted at new strategic systems and possible nuclear tests, as experts warn that the lapse of the last major arms pact could spark a new arms race.

Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Oct. 10, 2025. Sputnik/Grigory Sysoev/Pool via Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Oct. 10 that Russia is “very actively” developing and testing new nuclear weapons and that Moscow may soon make a formal announcement about the progress of its latest strategic systems.

Speaking to reporters after a summit in Tajikistan, Putin said the development of new weapons was proceeding successfully and that Russia’s nuclear deterrent capabilities are now more advanced than those of any other nuclear power.

“I believe that we will have an opportunity to report about the new weapons that we announced a while ago,” Putin said, according to Russian state media Tass.

“These weapons are being developed and undergoing tests. The tests are proceeding successfully.

“The novelty of our nuclear deterrence capabilities is higher than in any other nuclear-weapon state—and we are actively developing it all. We are developing what I mentioned earlier, in previous years—we are working to finalize it.”

The remarks follow Moscow’s recent offer to voluntarily maintain the warhead limits set by the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) if the United States does the same. The treaty, signed in 2010 and extended by five years in 2021, is the last remaining major arms-control accord between Washington and Moscow. It limits each side to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 700 deployed long-range missiles and bombers.

The nuclear pact is due to expire in February 2026. Putin said at the Tajikistan summit that the remaining months would be sufficient to extend it if Washington shows “goodwill,” but added that Russia’s security would not be jeopardized if it lapses.

“Will these few months be enough to make a decision on an extension? I think it will be enough if there is goodwill to extend these agreements,” Putin said. “And if the Americans decide they don’t need it, that’s not a big deal for us.”

Still, he said it would be “a shame” if the world’s two largest nuclear powers allowed the last vestige of their arms-control architecture to disappear.

“We’re ready to negotiate if it’s acceptable and useful for the Americans,“ he said. ”If not, then no—but that would be a shame, because then there would be nothing left in terms of deterrence in the area of strategic offensive weapons.”

Security experts have warned that the collapse of New START could raise the risk of miscalculation and accelerate weapons buildups by other powers, including China. Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, told a United Nations disarmament forum on Oct. 9 that allowing the treaty to expire could quickly increase the size of deployed nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 35 years and “further destabilize the mutual balance of nuclear terror; strain the already costly, behind-schedule U.S. nuclear modernization program; and create further disincentives for China to halt or reverse its ongoing nuclear buildup.”

“More nuclear weapons will not make anyone safer, and limiting damage in a nuclear war is an illusion,” Kimball said. “Continuing to stay below the central limits of New START ... for at least one year beyond its expiration will help reduce tensions, forestall a costly arms race that no one can win, create diplomatic leverage to curb the buildup of China’s arsenal, and buy time for talks on a broader, more durable, treaty.”

Putin’s comments also come amid speculation that some nations are preparing to resume nuclear testing. The Russian leader suggested that if others conduct tests, Moscow might do the same.

“Some countries are thinking about it; as far as I know, they’re even preparing. And that’s why I said that if they do it, we’ll do the same,” he said, adding that nuclear testing would be good from a security point of view, but bad from the perspective of limiting the arms race.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has welcomed Moscow’s offer to voluntarily maintain existing limits under New START, calling it “a good idea.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s remarks gave “grounds for optimism” that Washington would agree to extend the accord.