Russia agrees to abide by expired New START nuclear arms limits — as long as US does the same

Following the expiration of the New START treaty on February 5th, Russia has agreed to adhere to its nuclear arms limits with the U.S., contingent on Washington doing the same. The New START treaty, signed in 2010, placed restrictions on the number of deployed nuclear weapons for both countries. The treaty's expiration has raised concerns about a potential unconstrained nuclear arms race. While Russia has signaled a willingness to abide by the treaty limits, the U.S., under President Trump, has expressed interest in a new agreement that includes China, a condition Beijing has rejected. Russia will monitor U.S. actions to determine its own future course of action regarding strategic arms limitations.

Following the expiration of the New START treaty earlier this month, Russia announced it will adhere to the treaty's nuclear weapons limits as long as the United States does the same. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this to parliament on Wednesday, walking back earlier comments that Russia no longer considered itself bound by the treaty. Lavrov expressed belief that the US would continue to respect the limits, though he did not explain why. The New START agreement, between Russia and the US, was the last remaining arms control treaty between the two countries, and its expiration raised concerns about a potential arms race. Russia has indicated interest in a new arms control agreement, while the US is pushing for China's inclusion in any future talks.

Russian and US negotiators discussed the expiration of the New START treaty, which terminated on Thursday, leaving no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in over half a century. The Kremlin stated that both countries agreed on the need to quickly launch new arms control talks. Meanwhile, the US emphasized the need for China to join a future arms pact and accused Beijing of covert nuclear tests. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to stick to the treaty's limits for another year if Washington followed suit. However, US President Donald Trump has ignored this offer and argued that China should be involved in a new treaty. The talks were held between Russian and US negotiators.

US President Donald Trump rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to extend the recently expired New START treaty, which limited the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons. Trump stated he prefers negotiating a new, modernized treaty with Russia, potentially including China, despite Beijing's lack of interest. The New START treaty's expiration removes limits on the nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia, raising concerns about a potential arms race. While Putin offered to abide by the treaty for another year if the US reciprocated, the US ignored the offer, citing concerns that the treaty limited its missile deployment capabilities. Russia expressed regret over the treaty's expiration, pledging a responsible approach to nuclear weapons based on its national interests.

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.

On February 5, 2026, the last nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia expired, ending over half a century of nuclear arms limitations. This leaves both countries with no restrictions on their nuclear arsenals as they develop new weapons. Talks for a new treaty failed due to the war in Ukraine and President Trump's insistence on including China, who declined. The US is preparing to deploy more warheads, while its rivals are testing new nuclear weapons. This marks a shift away from the era of arms control that began with President Nixon's treaty with the Soviet Union, as China and shaken American allies are also seeking new warheads.

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.

On February 4, 2026, the New START treaty between the US and Russia, which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons, is set to expire. Russia announced it will no longer be bound by the treaty's limits, citing the US's lack of response to President Putin's proposal to extend the treaty for another 12 months. The treaty's expiration means both countries are free to increase missile numbers and deploy more strategic warheads. Experts warn that the end of the treaty could spark a new nuclear arms race between the two nations. Despite this, former US President Trump has expressed interest in negotiating a new agreement to restrict nuclear weapons.

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 New Start treaty between the US and Russia, which limited each country's nuclear arsenal, is set to expire on Thursday, ending over five decades of arms control. The treaty limited each country to 1,550 warheads and 800 delivery systems. With its expiration, mutual limits on the world's two largest nuclear arsenals will be removed, raising concerns about a potential new arms race and increased global instability. While Putin proposed a one-year extension in September, Moscow claims it never received a formal response. Officials and experts warn of escalating nuclear risks and the erosion of international stability due to the treaty's lapse.

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.