Thu Feb 05 11:41:12 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Kremlin Regrets End of New START Treaty, Remains Silent on French Diplomat Visit
The Story:
The Kremlin expressed regret on February 5, 2026, regarding the termination of the New START treaty, the last remaining arms control agreement between Russia and the United States. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled the treaty’s end a “negative step.” Concurrently, the Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied reports of a recent visit to Moscow by a senior diplomat from French President Emmanuel Macron’s office. Peskov also commented on French sources’ alleged propensity for leaking information to the media.
Key Points:
- The Kremlin “regretted” the end of the New START treaty on February 5, 2026.
- Dmitry Peskov called the end of the treaty a “negative step”.
- The Kremlin did not confirm or deny reports of a visit by President Macron’s top diplomat to Moscow on February 3, 2026.
- Peskov remarked that French sources tend to leak information to the media.
Critical Analysis:
The events surrounding the end of the New START treaty and the alleged secret French diplomat visit should be considered together. France has previously acted as a potential negotiator between Russia and the West, so Macron sending a diplomat to Moscow to negotiate peace could be a realistic analysis. However, neither side wants to appear weak by admitting to negotiating with the other. Thus, the Russian Federation would neither confirm nor deny Macron’s visit.
Key Takeaways:
- The termination of the New START treaty signals a further deterioration of relations between Russia and the United States, with potential implications for global nuclear stability.
- The ambiguous response to the French diplomat visit suggests ongoing, albeit potentially secretive, diplomatic efforts between France and Russia.
- The information environment surrounding these events is opaque, with both Russia and France controlling narratives through selective confirmation and denial.
First Piper 