Russia Commits to Honor Expired New START Treaty Limits If U.S. Does the Same
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Russia has agreed to continue abiding by the limits set forth in the recently expired New START Treaty, provided the United States reciprocates, marking a cautious step amid growing concerns over a renewed nuclear arms race. The treaty, which formally expired on February 5, 2026, had served as the cornerstone of nuclear arms control between the world’s two largest atomic powers for over a decade.
The New START Treaty, originally signed in 2010 and extended multiple times, capped the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems for both countries. Its expiration leaves no formal restrictions on Moscow and Washington’s nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than fifty years, raising alarms about an unconstrained arms buildup. The U.S. Department of State has emphasized the importance of strategic stability, while the Arms Control Association has warned of the risks associated with the treaty’s lapse.
In a statement reported by multiple outlets, including The Associated Press, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to adhere to the treaty’s terms for an additional year, contingent on the United States doing the same. This offer echoes a similar pledge made in September 2025, signaling Moscow’s interest in maintaining some measure of predictability despite the treaty’s formal expiration.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has publicly advocated for a new, “improved, and modernized” nuclear arms agreement that would include China, a proposal Beijing has consistently rejected. Trump’s comments, made on his Truth Social platform, criticized the New START Treaty as “badly negotiated” and accused the U.S. of violations, underscoring the challenges in negotiating future arms control frameworks.
The expiration of New START has prompted heightened attention from the Department of Defense and international security experts, who caution that without verifiable limits, both nations could accelerate nuclear weapons development, destabilizing global security. The treaty had provided transparency measures, including on-site inspections and data exchanges, which will no longer be guaranteed.
Efforts to negotiate a successor agreement have been complicated by geopolitical tensions and differing priorities among the United States, Russia, and China. The Biden administration has expressed interest in extending New START or crafting a new pact but has faced resistance from Moscow and Beijing.
As the world enters this uncharted era, experts emphasize the need for renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent an unchecked nuclear arms race. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs continues to advocate for multilateral arms control agreements to enhance global security and reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.
For now, Russia’s conditional commitment to uphold the expired treaty’s limits offers a fragile measure of stability, but the future of nuclear arms control remains uncertain as Washington and Moscow navigate this critical juncture.
Leave a Reply