politics
February 6, 2026
End of Russia-US nuclear accords: on Feb 5 world left without New START Treaty
The expired agreement between Moscow and Washington came into effect in 2011
TL;DR
- The New START treaty, which imposed limits on Russian and US strategic nuclear weapons, expired on February 5.
- For the first time in half a century, there are no mandatory limitations on the strategic arsenals of Russia and the United States.
- Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in February 2023, citing US actions and the need to account for NATO nuclear powers' arsenals.
- Russia has proposed adhering to the treaty's quantitative restrictions for another year if the US reciprocates, but has not received a formal response.
- Russia is modernizing its nuclear arsenal and does not intend to succumb to provocations or engage in an arms race.
- The US has expressed a desire for further arms reductions, potentially including China, and sees a multilateral approach as necessary.
- Russia views the US lack of a constructive response to its proposals as a deliberate stance.