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Russia Ends Nuclear Pact, Signals Freedom to Act as Treaty Expires

The Russian Foreign Ministry has declared that with the expiration of the New START treaty, parties are no longer bound by its obligations, citing a lack of formal response from the United States to a Russian proposal for voluntary restraint. Russia stated it remains ready to take military-technical measures to counter threats but is open to diplomatic efforts for strategic stability. The treaty, which limited deployed nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles, was originally signed in 2010 and had been extended to 2026. The pact was the last major arms control agreement between the two nations following the US withdrawal from another treaty in 2019.

Key Points: Russia Says New START Treaty Obligations End, Signals Freedom

  • Treaty obligations end Feb 5
  • Russia cites lack of US response
  • Ready for military-technical measures
  • Open to diplomatic efforts
  • Only remaining US-Russia arms pact
2 min read

Nuclear arms control pact ends today, Russia signals freedom to act

Russia declares parties free from New START treaty obligations after expiration, signaling potential new nuclear arms steps amid stalled US talks.

"In the current circumstances, we assume that the parties to the New START are no longer bound by any obligations - Russian Foreign Ministry"

Moscow, Feb 5

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that it assumes parties to the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between Russia and the United States are no longer bound by any obligations in the context of the deal.

The ministry on Wednesday said Russia had received no formalised official response from the United States to the Russian initiative on extending voluntary restraint on nuclear arms ceilings beyond the treaty's expiration on February 5.

"In the current circumstances, we assume that the parties to the New START are no longer bound by any obligations or symmetrical declarations in the context of the Treaty, including its core provisions, and are in principle free to choose their next steps," it said in a statement.

Russia remains ready to take decisive military-technical measures to counter potential additional threats to national security, the ministry said, adding that it remains open to political and diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising the strategic situation if appropriate conditions are created, reports Xinhua news agency.

The New START treaty, signed by Russia and the United States in 2010, aims to limit the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles. The treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011, with an original validity period of 10 years and was later extended to February 5, 2026.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September 2025 that Russia would continue to observe the core limits of the treaty for one year after its expiration, provided that the US refrains from actions that undermine the existing strategic balance.

US President Donald Trump said in January that he was not concerned about the treaty's impending expiration and expressed hope that the two sides would reach a new agreement.

The treaty is the only remaining arms control pact between the two nations after Washington withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The timing is terrible with global tensions already high. While I understand Russia's position, letting this treaty lapse without a replacement is a failure of diplomacy on both sides. The US needs to show more urgency.
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Priya S
Very worrying news. Our government's policy of strategic autonomy is more important than ever. We must ensure our own security is not impacted by this instability between other powers. Hope cooler heads prevail soon.
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Vikram M
The statement says Russia is open to diplomacy "if appropriate conditions are created." What are those conditions? The lack of clarity is the real problem. The whole world is held hostage by this ambiguity. 😟
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Rohit P
With all due respect to the strategic analysts, I think the average Indian is more worried about inflation and jobs than this treaty. That said, global stability does affect our economy, so our leaders should pay attention.
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Michael C
The article mentions Trump "hoping" for a new agreement. Hope is not a strategy. There needs to be a concrete, time-bound plan from both Washington and Moscow. The security of the entire planet is at stake.

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