VLADIMIR Putin has laid a nuclear deal offer on the table in front of Donald Trump.
Beneath the diplomatic gesture, however, Putin’s provocations continue to sew tension across Europe and force increasingly stern warnings from Nato allies.
Putin has made an offer to Donald Trump to extend their nuclear deal[/caption]
The treaty limits the number of nuclear weapons the US and Russia can produce[/caption]
Russia continues to hammer Ukraine with missile and drone strikes – inflicting scenes like this on Sunday night[/caption]
Putin said he is willing to extend the terms of an existing treaty between Washington and Moscow which limits the size of their nuclear arsenals.
The deal, called the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start) is due to expire in February 2026 – and Putin has proposed signing up to an extra year.
Putin told his security cabinet: “Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New Start for one year after 5 February 2026.
“Subsequently, based on an analysis of the situation, we will make a decision on whether to maintain these voluntary self-imposed restrictions.
“We believe that this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or violate the existing balance of deterrence capabilities.”
Despite claiming to want peace in Ukraine, Putin has repeatedly crossed new lines in recent days.
Russian drones entered Polish airspace in a “deliberate” incursion – forcing Nato from Poland, Italy, the Netherlands and the US to shoot them down.
That was the first time since the outbreak of war that Nato has directly clashed with Russia.
Following the dangerous provocation, Britain announced it would deploy RAF fighter jets to Poland as part of a new Nato operation.
Then, last week, Russian jets brazenly flew into Estonian airspace.
Fighter jets reportedly flew over Vaindloo Island and stayed there for nearly 12 minutes.
Trump warned the incursion could cause “big trouble” as Nato forces scrambled to intercept the three MiGs.
MiG-31s are capable of carrying terrifying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Incursions like this have happened before, but they rarely last this long.
Shortly afterwards, Polish authorities reported a “low fly over” of Russian military planes near an oil and gas platform.
Trump is yet to respond to the nuclear deal offer from Putin[/caption]
A Russian MIRV-equipped thermonuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile[/caption]
Both Poland and Estonia were forced to request the triggering of Nato Article 4.
This is the inbuilt mechanism for Nato members to convene urgent talks when it feels its “territorial integrity, political independence or security” are at risk.
Rubbing salt into the wound, Putin incredibly launched a blistering attack on Ukraine just hours after stirring trouble in Estonia.
At least three people were killed and 13 others injured after Russian bombers rained hell across the country over the weekend.
Ukraine issued a nationwide air alert after the Russians launched 580 drones and 40 cruise and ballistic missiles overnight, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
