politics
February 6, 2026
UN warns of nuclear risk as New START treaty expires
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the expiration of US-Russia nuclear reduction treaty a global security risk
TL;DR
- The New START nuclear reduction treaty between Russia and the US has expired without renewal.
- For the first time in over 50 years, the US and Russia have no limits on their nuclear arsenals.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the expiration as a "grave moment for international peace and security" and warned of the highest risk of nuclear weapon use in decades.
- Russia blamed Western backers of Ukraine for targeting its nuclear deterrence assets and suspending verification inspections.
- Former President Trump desired a "better" agreement that would include China.
- Russia stated that any expansion must also cover nuclear NATO members France and the UK.
- US Vice President J.D. Vance indicated the Trump administration would work with China and Russia to reduce global nuclear weapons.
- Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev suggested that great-power politics incentivizes smaller nations to seek nuclear weapons for self-defense.