Nuclear shocker: Russia walks out of arms control deal with US
Moscow (ThevUttam Hindu) – The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (NSRT) between Russia and the United States no longer has any obligations on either country. The ministry believes that after the agreement's expiration, both sides are no longer obligated to abide by its terms.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it had not yet received a formal and clear response from the United States to Russia's proposal to voluntarily maintain the nuclear weapons limit agreement after its expiration on February 5.
The ministry said that in the current circumstances, Russia believes that all parties to the New START agreement are now free from the terms and conditions of the agreement and mutual declarations, including the agreement's main provisions. Both countries are now free to determine their next steps.
Russia also stated that if it faces any new threats to its national security, it is prepared to take strong military and technical measures to counter them. However, the ministry also clarified that if the right conditions arise, Russia is also ready for political and diplomatic dialogue to maintain strategic stability, reports Xinhua news agency.
The New START agreement was signed between Russia and the United States in 2010. Its purpose was to limit the number of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. The agreement entered into force on February 5, 2011. Initially, its term was 10 years, but was later extended to February 5, 2026. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in September 2025 that Russia would continue to adhere to the agreement's original limits for a year after its expiration, provided the United States does not take steps that could disrupt the strategic balance.
US President Donald Trump stated in January that he was not overly concerned about the agreement's demise and hoped the two countries could reach a new agreement. Significantly, the New START agreement is the last major arms control agreement remaining between Russia and the US. The US previously withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019.