US-Russian nuclear pact is about to expire and end long-standing arms limits

The New START treaty between the United States and Russia is set to expire, removing formal caps on deployed strategic nuclear warheads; Russia has offered a one-year continuation if the U.S. agrees, and Washington has not committed.

The New START treaty between the United States and Russia is set to expire on Thursday, removing formal limits on deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems. The treaty was signed in 2010 and had been extended once. Russian leaders have offered to keep the treaty's limits for another year if the United States agrees. U.S. officials have not announced a decision. Key facts: - New START is scheduled to expire, ending formal caps on deployed strategic warheads and delivery systems. - Russia has offered a one-year continuation of the treaty's limits if the United States agrees. - On-site inspections under the treaty were suspended in 2020, and Russia suspended participation in 2023 while saying it would respect the caps. - U.S. leaders have not committed to an extension or successor agreement. Summary: Experts and arms-control advocates say the treaty's expiration could encourage larger nuclear deployments and complicate future negotiations involving the United States, Russia and other nuclear-armed states. The path forward depends on a U.S. decision about an extension or a successor agreement. Undetermined at this time.