Russia Withdraws from Last Nuclear Treaty with US

The end of the New START treaty raises fears not only of an arms race but of how nations justify trust in international agreements.

The expiration of the New START treaty terminates the last remaining nuclear arms control pact between the U.S. and Russia. While concerns mount over a potential arms race and the security implications of an unregulated nuclear regime, the debate also centers on trustworthiness in treaty compliance and the broader implications for international diplomacy. The primary conflict hinges on whether the maintenance of global security should prioritize strict adherence to established agreements or embrace flexible approaches in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Key facts

• The New START treaty, last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, expired on February 5, 2026.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to maintain the treaty's limits for another year if the U.S. reciprocated.
• The expiration of the New START treaty raises concerns about a potential return to an unrestrained nuclear arms race involving the U.S., Russia, and China.
• The New START treaty, signed in 2010 and extended once in 2021, capped deployed warheads at 1,550 per country and limited delivery systems to 700.
• The expiration of the New START treaty removes caps on U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals for the first time in over 50 years.
• The end of the New START treaty could lead to a new arms race, with both nations potentially increasing their nuclear arsenals and deploying intermediate-range missiles in Europe and Asia.
• The New START treaty, signed in 2010, was the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, limiting each side to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and allowing up to 18 on-site inspections annually.
• Prior to New START, the U.S. and Russia had several arms control agreements, including the INF Treaty (1987) and the ABM Treaty (1972).