Ending more than half a century of bilateral limits regarding strategic nuclear arsenals of the world’s largest two nuclear powers, the New START nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States ended on 5th February 2026.
The Kremlin (Russian government) has mentioned that though the expiration date of the treaty took place with the formerly known Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Russia will remain a responsible nuclear power and continue to go forth before strategic stability with caution. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman, stated that the restrictions on the number of released nuclear warheads, missiles, and launchers in this treaty would no longer have any effect after the end.
Russia had offered a voluntary one-year extension of the treaty, but the United States did not respond formally. Peskov said the end of the treaty was regrettable but emphasized that Russia would act responsibly while protecting its national interests. Discussions about future arms control have also been part of talks between President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
New START had been the last remaining nuclear arms control pact between the United States and Russia, limiting each side to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and providing for inspections and verification mechanisms. Its origins date back to a 2010 agreement between then‑U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev; it was extended in 2021 but was always set to expire in early 2026.
International reaction has been mixed following the treaty’s lapse. United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres called the expiration a “grave moment” for global peace and security, urging both countries to return swiftly to the negotiating table to forge a new, verifiable framework that reduces nuclear risk. Meanwhile, China has expressed regret over the agreement’s end and pushed for renewed strategic stability talks, even while maintaining its own nuclear posture under a no‑first‑use policy.
President Donald Trump has also called for a modernized arms control treaty, suggesting that future agreements should include China. Analysts warn that without binding limits, the risk of an uncontrolled nuclear arms race could rise, which could increase global uncertainty.
As New START now becomes stagnant, the world enters an undiscovered chapter regarding nuclear diplomacy, with major powers preventing threats, keeping communication open, and also stopping the spread or increase of nuclear weapons.
