- The New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control pact between the United States and Russia, expired on Thursday, February 5, 2026, removing all mutual limits on the world's two largest nuclear arsenals.
- The expiration was largely due to the Trump administration's decision not to extend the treaty, despite a Russian offer to abide by the numerical limits for one more year.
- Experts and arms control advocates warn that the lapse of the treaty risks triggering a new, unrestrained nuclear arms race for the first time since the Cold War era.
- The end of New START could also undermine the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), which relies on nuclear-weapon states making good faith efforts toward disarmament.
- The US decision was influenced by pressure from some politicians to reject the treaty and expand the US arsenal to counter a rapid nuclear build-up by China, which is not a party to the agreement.
US-Russia New START nuclear arms treaty expires, ending mutual limits on arsenals
Feb 4, 2026, 5:28:31 PM UTC(5 hours ago)
Impact: Medium
Affected Assets
Sources
From:@DeItaone
🚨 THE NUCLEAR TALKS WERE CANCELED ON FRIDAY
