Impending Expiration of New START Treaty Sparks Fears of Renewed US-Russia Arms Race

Wed Feb 18 2026 11:14:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the New START treaty between the United States and Russia is set to expire, concerns grow over the potential for a fresh arms race. Experts and officials warn that the dissolution of nuclear arms control agreements could have dire consequences for global security.

The New START treaty, which limits the number of nuclear warheads deployed by the US and Russia to 1,550 each, is due to expire, raising significant concerns about the future of nuclear arms control between the two nations. Experts fear this could lead to a new arms race as both countries continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals. Calls for renewal by figures such as Pope Leo underscore the necessity of continued dialogue amid escalating tensions and military developments. The expiration of this treaty follows a worrying trend in the collapse of historic arms control agreements.

The last nuclear weapons control treaty between the US and Russia is due to expire on Thursday, raising fears of a new arms race.

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as New START and signed in 2010, was designed to help prevent a catastrophic nuclear war.

The treaty capped the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads for each party to 1,550 and established measures for transparency, including data transfers and on-site inspections.

Its expiry signifies an end to the arms control cooperation that contributed to easing Cold War tensions.

Pope Leo has urged the US and Russia to renew the treaty, emphasizing the current global situation demands action to avert a new arms race.

The original START treaty, signed in 1991, limited each country to 6,000 warheads, paving the way for the New START agreement.

Despite a technical suspension three years ago, both nations appeared to be following the treaty's terms until now.

The treaty helped prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of nuclear weapons while providing essential transparency to avoid misjudgments regarding the intentions of each side.

However, the expiry of New START follows a disturbing trend where other key arms control treaties have also faltered, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Agreement and the Open Skies Treaty.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, former British Chief of the Defence Staff, has warned that the frameworks that have historically maintained global safety are now in jeopardy, considering the alarming rise in nuclear weapons prominence.

Dmitry Medvedev, who signed the New START treaty, stated its expiration should concern all. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump showed less urgency, suggesting any future treaty could be better.

Both the US and Russia are currently modernizing their nuclear capabilities, with missile developments ongoing. Experts note that these advancements complicate the prospects for a new arms control agreement.

Darya Dolzikova from the RUSI highlighted the concerning trend of militarization and the growing desire for nuclear arms as a deterrent among nations.

In a world where hypersonic missiles and new nuclear systems are fast developing, the possibility of another arms control treaty appears increasingly distant.

While a new deal remains possible, the expiration of New START marks the beginning of a potentially more volatile and dangerous era in international relations.