Russia seeks to reactivate New START Treaty suspended in 2023

Hours before Donald Trump accepted the demands of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, stated that Russia aims to reactivate the New START Treaty, which it suspended in 2023.

The New START Treaty, formally known as the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems for both nations. Under the treaty, the total number of deployed and non-deployed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments is capped at 800. The number of deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers is limited to 700.

The treaty entered into force in 2011 and is set to expire in February 2026. With Trump"s acceptance of Ukraine"s demands and alignment with the European Union"s anti-Russia stance, concerns have been raised about the potential for a new arms race between the United States and Russia, as it is considered unlikely that Moscow will negotiate an extension of the treaty after its expiration.

For further information on related coverage, see Trump promises more weapons sales to NATO allies despite low U.S. stocks.