US-Russia nuclear treaty expiration approaches in weeks

The New START treaty between the US and Russia is set to expire on February 6, ending the last formal limits on deployed strategic warheads; together the two countries hold roughly 87% of the world’s nuclear weapons.

The last remaining strategic arms control treaty between the United States and Russia is set to expire in weeks. New START, signed in 2010, is due to end on February 6 and limits each side to 1,550 deployed strategic warheads. The accord was the only recent treaty that regularly held the two countries to verified caps. Its lapse would leave the two largest nuclear arsenals without those formal limits. Key points: - New START is scheduled to expire on February 6. - The treaty set limits of 1,550 deployed strategic warheads for each side. - The agreement allowed one extension, which has already been used, and cannot be extended again as written. - The United States and Russia together account for roughly 87% of global nuclear warheads. - Leaders and experts have made public remarks: Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a further extension in September, and former President Donald Trump said he would allow the treaty to expire and has said he prefers a broader agreement that could include other countries. Summary: Experts warn that the treaty’s lapse would reduce transparency and could accelerate weakening of the global arms control framework. Undetermined at this time.