politics
February 12, 2026
US negotiating updated new START treaty with Russia
US Vice President J.D. Vance has confirmed Washington is negotiating an nuclear nonproliferation START treaty with Moscow
TL;DR
- The US is negotiating an updated version of the New START treaty with Russia.
- The original New START treaty expired on February 5.
- Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed ongoing nuclear non-proliferation talks.
- The updated treaty is expected to differ from its previous version.
- Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons is a core priority for the US administration.
- US and Russian officials discussed the treaty on the sidelines of Ukraine peace talks.
- The New START treaty, signed in 2010, caps strategic nuclear warheads and launchers.
- Russia suspended the treaty's verification mechanisms in 2023.
- Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of a "dangerous new phase of uncertainty" if the agreement expired.