Russia has stated it will continue to observe the missile and warhead limits outlined in the New START nuclear treaty with the United States, even though the agreement officially expired last week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the announcement during a parliamentary address on Wednesday.

The 2010 treaty, which capped strategic nuclear arsenals between the two largest nuclear powers, ran out on February 5, leaving no formal limits in place for the first time in over 50 years. Despite the treaty’s expiration, Lavrov emphasized that Moscow’s compliance will continue as long as Washington adheres to the same limits.

Lavrov said Russia will maintain its “moratorium” voluntarily, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump declined an offer from President Vladimir Putin to extend the treaty for another year on a voluntary basis. “Our position is that this moratorium on our side that was declared by the president is still in place, but only as long as the United States doesn’t exceed the said limits,” he told the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament.

Analysts warn that the expiration of New START raises the possibility of a three-way arms race involving Russia, the U.S., and China, which is rapidly expanding its arsenal, albeit from a smaller base. However, some experts suggest that Russia may be reluctant to escalate due to the financial strain of its ongoing war in Ukraine.