New START Treaty

The New START Treaty, a nuclear arms reduction agreement between the United States and Russia, expired on February 5, 2026. This treaty, initially signed in 2010, was the last remaining pact limiting the two countries' strategic nuclear arsenals, continuing a series of agreements dating back to 1991. Its expiration leaves the US and Russia, holders of the world's largest nuclear stockpiles, without legally binding restrictions on the number of nuclear weapons they can possess, prompting concerns about a potential new arms race. Russia has stated it will abide by the treaty's limits as long as the US does the same. Meanwhile, President Putin has emphasized the importance of developing Russia's nuclear triad. The treaty's lapse marks a significant shift in nuclear arms control and raises questions about the future of strategic stability between the two nations.