Biden, Putin Speak by Phone, Agree to Extend New START Treaty

U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone today, at the request of the U.S. side. “They discussed both countries’ willingness to extend New START for five years, agreeing to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension by February 5,” reported the White House readout. “They also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues.” According to Sputnik News, both Biden and Putin expressed satisfaction with the preliminary agreement on the treaty’s extension. The formal procedures for the New START extension will be concluded in the coming days, the Kremlin said soon after the end of the presidents’ conversation.