The United States and Russia are reportedly closing in on a plan to continue observing the terms of the expiring New START nuclear arms control treaty beyond its formal expiration Thursday, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

The draft arrangement, which still requires approval from Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, would have both sides uphold the treaty’s limits for at least six months while negotiations toward a potential new agreement take place. Talks were held over the past 24 hours in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of Ukraine discussions, led by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

A U.S. official emphasized that the treaty will formally expire, noting, “We agreed with Russia to operate in good faith and to start a discussion about ways it could be updated.” The arrangement is considered a temporary, informal understanding rather than a legally binding extension, as U.S. law prohibits extending New START without congressional approval.

New START, which limits deployed nuclear warheads on submarines, missiles, and bombers, is the last major arms control framework constraining the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals, which together comprise roughly 85% of global warheads. The treaty also includes transparency and verification mechanisms crucial to reducing the risk of miscalculation.

Trump questioned the utility of extending the treaty on Truth Social Thursday, calling New START “a badly negotiated deal” and signaling plans to pursue a new, modernized agreement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that any 21st-century arms control framework must include China, whose rapidly expanding arsenal is not constrained under New START.

Russian officials expressed willingness to continue dialogue if Washington engages constructively, while U.S. European Command announced the resumption of military-to-military talks with Russia, suspended in 2021 before the invasion of Ukraine.

Negotiators agreed to observe the treaty’s spirit as a “handshake” understanding, with formal approval pending from Trump and Putin.