The expiration of the New START treaty – the last nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia – on February 5 has triggered urgent calls for diplomacy from the United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of 'unchecked competition' in nuclear arsenals without immediate action.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia's readiness for negotiations, stating: 'We remain committed to responsible dialogue.' However, former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated demands for any new agreement to include the Chinese mainland, complicating immediate resolution prospects.
Analysts suggest the treaty's lapse could accelerate modernization of nuclear capabilities in both nations. Asian security experts express particular concern about potential ripple effects across the Asia-Pacific, where multiple states maintain nuclear programs.
This development comes as the DPRK continues missile tests and India-Pakistan tensions persist. The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session this week to address global nonproliferation efforts.
