China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

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.