China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Brian Rhoads,Neil DenslowFebruary 3, 2026 at 10:01 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The last treaty limiting US and Russian nuclear weapon deployments expired on Thursday, ending half a century of restrictions on the world's two largest nuclear powers. This treaty, New START, was signed in 2010 by then-presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama. Russia has offered a one-year extension to New START. Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated that the US has not provided a "substantive reaction" to the proposed extension. This development occurs as China is reportedly expanding its nuclear arsenal, adding to global concerns about nuclear proliferation. The expiration raises concerns about a potential arms race without limitations between the US, Russia, and China.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Kommersant 30% Russian Security Council 50% Barack Obama 60% Dmitry Medvedev ×270% New START ×270% China 80% Russia ×390% United States ×390%

Keywords

nuclear weapons 100% arms control 90% us-russia relations 80% new start 70% treaty expiration 60% nuclear arsenal 60% nuclear powers 50% weapon deployments 40%