President Donald Trump has called for the resumption of nuclear arms control negotiations with Russia, as the New START treaty—meant to limit the number of warheads and delivery systems—faces expiration in February 2026. The treaty, signed in 2010 during a brief period of US-Russian rapprochement known as the ‘reset,’ has been a vital part of global arms control efforts since then. Trump emphasized that allowing the treaty to expire would pose significant risks, stating, ‘That’s not an agreement you want expiring. We’re starting to work on that.’ His remarks come amid heightened tensions between the US and Russia, particularly over issues such as the conflict in Ukraine and allegations of Russian influence in the 2016 US election.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s commitment to arms control dialogue, noting that it ‘is necessary, especially concerning strategic stability,’ but highlighted the need for ‘an appropriate level of trust.’ He pointed out that recent geopolitical developments, including the Biden administration’s actions in 2022, have eroded the foundation for such cooperation. The New START treaty, which had been in effect for over a decade, has been a key component of maintaining strategic balance between the two nuclear powers. Its potential expiration has sparked concerns about the future of global nuclear arms control, with experts warning of the heightened risks associated with a lack of agreements.
During Trump’s first term, the US had already withdrawn from two significant arms control treaties: the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 2019 and the Treaty of Open Skies in 2021. Moscow responded by accusing the US of dismantling the global arms control system. The current proposal for new nuclear talks comes as part of a broader effort to reestablish a framework for strategic stability, though the path to agreement remains uncertain given the deepening political tensions between the two nations. Experts suggest that without substantial progress on trust-building measures, the prospects for renewed arms control negotiations are dim, raising concerns about the long-term implications for global security.