The final remaining treaty limiting U.S. And Russian nuclear arsenals expired today, , removing constraints on the world’s two largest nuclear powers for the first time in over half a century. The collapse of the New START treaty has ignited fears of a renewed and potentially unrestrained nuclear arms race, a prospect that has prompted concern from international observers.
Signed in 2010 by then-U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, New START came into effect in 2011. It built upon earlier agreements – START I, signed in 1991 between the U.S. And the Soviet Union, and START II, signed in 1993 but never ratified by Russia – aiming to reduce the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons. A subsequent agreement, the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), was in place from 2003 to 2011, but relied on the monitoring mechanisms of START I. New START was extended in 2021 for five years under the Biden administration, but the treaty explicitly allows for only one extension.
The expiration of New START means there are no longer legally binding limits on the number of strategic nuclear warheads, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and bombers that the U.S. And Russia can deploy. While the treaty focused on limiting these “strategic” weapons designed to target key political, military, and industrial centers, it does not cover tactical or non-strategic nuclear weapons.
According to reports, Moscow has stated it is no longer bound by the treaty’s obligations and is free to determine its future course of action. Russian state news agency Tass reported this overnight. There have been no immediate reports of renewed discussions regarding an extension or a new agreement.
The timing of the treaty’s expiration coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has significantly strained relations between Washington and Moscow. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has informally suggested capping the number of warheads for another year, U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to respond, according to reports.
The implications extend beyond the immediate U.S.-Russia relationship. The absence of arms control constraints raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for miscalculation. Without verification measures, assessing the other side’s capabilities becomes more difficult, increasing the risk of mistrust and escalation.
Elsewhere, diplomatic activity continues. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski is currently visiting Washington, where he has discussed a range of international issues with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, including Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, and the war in Ukraine. Sikorski indicated that he and Secretary Rubio share similar assessments and approaches to these challenges.
In related news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that an estimated 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, with many more reported missing. This figure was released during an interview with French television station France 2.
Negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program are scheduled to begin in Oman on . This follows earlier reports of disagreement between the two countries regarding the location and scope of the talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragczi announced the commencement of the discussions, a detail confirmed by a U.S. Official.
In Argentina, a surprising development has emerged with a request for the extradition of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to the United States. The Argentine justice system is seeking Maduro’s extradition for questioning in connection with an investigation into crimes against humanity. Maduro was ousted from power last month.
Further complicating matters, newly released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have surfaced, confirming the authenticity of a photograph featuring Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre. Prince Andrew had previously denied knowing Giuffre, who has accused him of sexual assault.
The Epstein documents also reveal that Lord Peter Mandelson, a former British minister, reportedly offered assistance to Epstein in his attempts to obtain a Russian visa. The BBC News reported on these findings, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal.
The expiration of New START marks a significant turning point in the global nuclear landscape. The absence of legally binding limits on strategic weapons, coupled with existing geopolitical tensions, creates a more uncertain and potentially dangerous environment. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the U.S. And Russia can find a way to re-establish arms control mechanisms and prevent a costly and destabilizing nuclear arms race.
