Russia declared on Wednesday its willingness to engage in security discussions while vowing to counter emerging threats, following the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) at midnight on February 5. The lapse concludes over 50 years of bilateral nuclear arms control between Moscow and Washington.
The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. for not responding to President Vladimir Putin's proposal to extend missile and warhead limits for an additional year. "Our ideas are being deliberately ignored. This approach appears mistaken and regrettable," the ministry stated, emphasizing that both parties are now "free to choose their next steps" without treaty obligations.
While asserting Russia's readiness to take "decisive military-technical measures" against security threats, officials simultaneously expressed openness to "equitable and mutually beneficial dialogue" for stabilizing strategic relations. This dual approach reflects Moscow's balancing act between deterrence and diplomacy amid heightened global tensions.
The treaty's expiration raises critical questions about future arms control frameworks, with analysts noting potential implications for Asian security dynamics given the region's strategic importance in U.S.-Russia relations. Business leaders and policymakers are closely monitoring how this development might affect international stability and cross-border investments.
