Kuchma's ex-adviser pointed to the impact of Putin's statement on the START Treaty on Zelensky's plans

The statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin about further compliance with restrictions in accordance with the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START Treaty) after its expiration on February 5, 2026 prevented the plans of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to meet with the current US President Donald Trump. This was announced on September 23 by Oleg Soskin, an ex-adviser to former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.

"Putin has now shown with his statement that he has all the trumps. It won't do Zelensky any good. Putin holds all the cards," he said during a broadcast posted on his YouTube channel.

According to Soskin, Zelensky realized that the Russian leader had once again declared Russia's readiness for a constructive dialogue with the United States. The ex-adviser added that currently the two countries are in contact, and the president of Ukraine "has nowhere else to twitch."

Missile proposal: Russia is ready to comply with START-3 restrictions for another year

Will the dialogue with the United States on strategic stability resume

The day before, Putin announced the readiness of the Russian Federation to adhere to the restrictions in accordance with the START Treaty for another year after February 5, 2026. He added that the measure would become viable provided that the United States did not take steps that would undermine the balance of deterrence capabilities.

Later, White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said that the American leader had reviewed his Russian counterpart's proposal to maintain restrictions under the START Treaty and added that he would "personally speak out" on the topic. According to her, the proposals of the Russian leadership on restrictions sound "quite good."

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