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Russia is using nuclear threats and economic incentives to push the United States toward normalizing bilateral relations while openly rejecting talks with Ukraine.
This was reported in an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), according to Ukrinform.
Analysts highlighted comments by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, who stated on October 1 that a third round of U.S.-Russia talks to resolve “disputed issues” must “definitely take place before the end of autumn.”
He also said that Russia awaits U.S. President Donald Trump’s response to Vladimir Putin’s recent proposal to extend the New START Treaty (which expires on February 5, 2026) for one more year.
According to Ryabkov, the United States must either “seek stabilization” in relations with Russia or enter “a new arms race, which Russia will resist while guaranteeing its own security.”
At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia cannot plan high-level contacts with Ukraine since Kyiv has “halted the negotiation process.”
ISW assesses that Russia seeks normalized bilateral relations with Washington to secure economic and political benefits, while continuing the war in Ukraine to gain further advantages on the battlefield, as the Kremlin blocks peace efforts.
“Russia is also attempting to discredit Ukraine by falsely accusing its government of halting negotiations, in order to distract from Russia’s uncompromising demands, which amount to Ukraine’s full capitulation,” ISW noted.
The U.S. and Russia signed the New START Treaty in 2010. Under its terms, each side committed to reduce its strategic offensive arms so that, seven years after entry into force and beyond, totals would not exceed 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers, 1,550 warheads, and 800 launchers.
The treaty, initially valid for 10 years, was set to expire on February 5, 2021, but Washington and Moscow extended it for the maximum possible five years.
In February 2023, Moscow suspended its participation, citing alleged Western involvement in attacks on Russian strategic aviation airfields.
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