New START treaty due to expire on Feb. 5 raises questions about next steps

New START, the last U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty, will expire on Feb. 5; Russia proposed a 12-month extension in September and the United States has not formally replied.

New START, the last remaining U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty, is due to expire on Feb. 5. The treaty capped deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 for each side and has served as the principal bilateral limit since it took effect. Russia proposed in September that both parties agree to adhere to New START limits for a further 12 months, and the United States has not issued a formal response. Talks on a successor treaty have not been held, and analysts say tensions and China’s growing arsenal complicate efforts to broaden negotiations. Key facts: - New START is set to expire on Feb. 5 and limits deployed strategic warheads to 1,550 per side. - Russia proposed a 12-month adherence to the treaty in September; the United States has not formally replied. - No negotiations on a successor treaty have taken place, leaving the next formal steps unclear. Summary: The treaty’s expiry removes the last formal bilateral arms control limit between the two countries and increases uncertainty about formal constraints on their nuclear forces. Undetermined at this time.