Putin Declares Development of Russia's Nuclear Forces an Absolute Priority

Russian President Vladimir Putin has affirmed that the development of Russia’s nuclear forces is now an “absolute priority,” following the expiry of the country’s last remaining nuclear treaty with the United States.

“The development of the nuclear triad, which guarantees Russia’s security and ensures effective strategic deterrence and the balance of power in the world, remains an absolute priority,” Putin said in a video address, as reported by the AFP news agency on Monday (23/2/2026).

Putin’s speech was delivered on Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, a public holiday celebrating military grandeur and Kremlin-sponsored patriotism.

Putin also pledged to continue “strengthening the army and navy” and to draw lessons from the military experience gained during the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine.

All branches of the armed forces would be upgraded, he said, including “their combat readiness, mobility, and ability to operate in all conditions, even the most difficult.”

Putin’s remarks came just two days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s assault on Ukraine, which triggered a prolonged war that has devastated cities, displaced millions, and claimed numerous lives on both sides.

Moscow and Washington — the world’s two principal nuclear powers — are no longer bound by any arms control pact since the New START nuclear treaty expired earlier this month.

However, the Russian government has stated that it will comply with the nuclear weapons limitations set out in the treaty, provided Washington does the same.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was in no rush to begin developing and deploying additional weapons. He walked back comments made by his ministry the previous week, which had stated that Russia was no longer bound by the treaty’s provisions.

“We proceed from the fact that this moratorium, announced by our president, remains in force, but only as long as the United States does not exceed the established limits,” Lavrov said in a recent address to the Russian parliament.