The United Nations has raised alarms over the imminent expiration of the New START treaty, calling it a “grave moment for international peace and security” as Russia has declared it is no longer bound by nuclear warhead limits. The treaty, established in 2010 to regulate the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia, is set to expire imminently, marking a critical juncture in arms control between the two nations.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the United States has not responded to President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend the treaty’s missile and warhead limits for another year. “We assume that the parties to the New START treaty are no longer bound by any obligations,” the ministry conveyed. This statement signifies a potential abandonment of constraints that have governed the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons over the last decade.
New START, or Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, has played a vital role in limiting the numbers of nuclear warheads capable of being deployed, ensuring a degree of predictability in nuclear relations between the world’s two largest nuclear powers. With the treaty’s expiration, both Russia and the United States could theoretically ramp up missile production, although actual deployment would require time and logistical resources.
The treaty was initially signed and came into effect under former US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2011 and was later extended in 2021 for five additional years. However, US President Donald Trump had previously expressed a lack of concern towards the treaty’s expiration, suggesting that any future negotiations could yield better outcomes and calling for China’s involvement in future discussions.
As of early 2025, Russia’s nuclear arsenal is estimated to include approximately 4,309 warheads, while the United States has about 3,700. Together, these two countries possess over 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.
Experts warn that the dissolution of the New START treaty could exacerbate an ongoing global arms race. Notably, China has significantly expanded its nuclear capabilities in recent years, tripling its arsenal over the last decade. While the US has not increased its stockpile, analysts suggest the expiration of New START could prompt renewed efforts to modernize and potentially expand US nuclear forces in response to global developments.
Highlighting the urgent need for renewed dialogue, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged both nations to return to negotiation and establish a new framework for nuclear arms control. “For the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the Russian Federation and the United States,” Guterres noted. This unprecedented scenario raises concerns about the risks of nuclear weapons use escalating.
Adding to these calls, Pope Leo expressed an urgent plea for both nations, emphasizing the necessity of sustaining the limits set in the treaty as a means to foster trust and cooperation. He called for a collective ethical approach that promotes the common good over fear and distrust.
As the landscape of nuclear arms control shifts dramatically, the UN and global leaders are hopeful that diplomatic efforts can pave the way for a new agreement that prioritizes safety and stability amidst escalating tensions.