US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Expiration Raises Concerns

The expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the US and Russia has raised concerns about a potential nuclear arms race. The treaty, which capped the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems, was in place since 2011 and was extended in 2021 for five years. Critics argue that the treaty was outdated and did not account for China's growing nuclear arsenal. Experts are divided on whether the US should continue to adhere to the treaty's limits or pursue a new agreement that includes China. The expiration has sparked fears of an arms race, with some warning that it could lead to a nuclear conflict.

The US-Russia New START treaty, which capped the number of nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles, is set to expire, marking a significant shift in nuclear arms control. The treaty, signed in 2010 and extended in 2021, limited both countries to 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 delivery vehicles. The expiration comes amid strained US-Russia relations following the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which halted talks for a new treaty. Experts warn of a potential nuclear arms race, with some arguing that the US should have agreed to an informal extension. The US president has proposed a trilateral treaty with Russia and China, but experts consider this wishful thinking. The absence of any agreement could make the world a more dangerous place.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed grave concern over the expiration of the New START Treaty between the US and Russia, calling it a 'grave moment' for international peace and security. The treaty, which capped the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the two countries can deploy, expired on February 4, 2026. Guterres urged both countries to negotiate a new nuclear arms control framework without delay, highlighting the risks of unchecked nuclear proliferation and the need for verifiable limits on nuclear arsenals.