Watch: The US and Russia's nuclear treaty is dead. What comes next?

The New START Treaty, a nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia, expired on February 5, 2026. Initially signed in 2010, the treaty limited the number of strategic nuclear warheads that both countries could possess. The expiration left no limit on the number of nuclear weapons the US and Russia can stockpile. This development marks a significant shift in the two nations' nuclear policies. The treaty's demise has raised concerns about the potential for increased nuclear proliferation and instability. As a result, it is unclear what steps will be taken by the US and Russia to address this new reality.

The last remaining nuclear arms control pact between the US and Russia has expired, raising concerns about a potential new arms race. The treaty, known as New START, was signed in 2010 and limited the number of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles, and bombers that each country could possess. With its expiration, there are now no legally binding limits on the nuclear arsenals of the two nations. The absence of an agreement increases the risk of unchecked nuclear weapons development and deployment, potentially escalating tensions between the US and Russia. The treaty's end marks a significant setback for nuclear arms control efforts.

The New START treaty between the US and Russia, which limits each country to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads, is set to expire on Thursday, raising concerns about a potential new arms race. Signed in 2010, the treaty established transparency measures like data sharing and on-site inspections, marking the end of arms control cooperation that helped end the Cold War. The treaty's expiration follows the collapse of other key arms control agreements, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Agreement and the Open Skies Treaty. Experts warn that the unraveling of these frameworks poses a significant threat to global security. Pope Leo has urged both countries to renew the treaty.

The New START treaty between the US and Russia, limiting strategic nuclear weapons, is set to expire this week. Signed in 2010, the treaty limits each country to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 700 long-range missiles and bombers. It also allows for inspections of nuclear weapons sites. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested a one-year cap extension, the US President has yet to respond. New START was extended in 2021 for five years after US President Joe Biden took office. The treaty states that it can only be extended once.

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.

On Thursday, the New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms treaty between the US and Russia, is set to expire, removing restrictions on the nuclear arsenals of the world's two largest nuclear powers. The treaty, signed in 2010, limited the deployment of nuclear weapons by both countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a one-year extension in September, but the Trump administration has not responded substantively. While President Trump initially indicated that an extension "sounds like a good idea," no further action has been taken. The expiration marks the end of decades of nuclear arms agreements between Washington and Moscow dating back to the Cold War.