Russia will observe New START missile and warhead limits as long as the US does, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after the treaty expired last week, leaving both nuclear giants without formal constraints for the first time in decades.
Russia has pledged to uphold the missile and warhead caps from the now expired New START nuclear accord with the United States, provided Washington follows suit. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the statement as the 2010 agreement lapsed last week, ending formal restrictions on the worlds two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in decades.
Conditional commitment announced
Lavrov addressed parliament’s lower chamber, the State Duma, confirming that President Vladimir Putins declared moratorium remains active. Moscow will respect the treaties numerical ceilings on deployed strategic weapons as long as the US refrains from surpassing them. This comes after President Donald Trump rejected Putins suggestion for a one year voluntary extension of the limits.
The treaty had set ceilings of 1550 deployed warheads and 700 deployed launchers for each side, verified through mutual inspections. Its collapse leaves both nations free to expand stockpiles without legal bounds.
Background of the expired pact
Signed in 2010, New START aimed to cut strategic offensive arms and foster transparency between former Cold War adversaries. It endured tense periods, including mutual suspensions of inspections during the pandemic and over Ukraine related disputes. Efforts to negotiate a successor faltered amid broader geopolitical strains.
Trump administration officials cited Russias alleged non compliance and Chinas growing arsenal as reasons against renewal. Putin countered with the voluntary pause offer, which Washington declined.
Risks of unconstrained buildup
The treaties end raises alarms over a potential three way arms competition involving Russia, the US and China. While Beijing possesses fewer warheads, its rapid modernisation programme has prompted calls for a broader framework. Analysts warn that without caps, all parties might accelerate deployments, heightening global tensions.
Russias strategic calculus
Observers note Moscow faces fiscal pressures from its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. Expanding nuclear forces would strain resources already stretched by military spending. Lavrov emphasised reciprocity as key, suggesting Russia seeks to avoid a costly escalation while leaving room for future talks.
Both powers retain thousands of warheads, with Russia and the US controlling over 90 per cent of the global total. The unilateral restraint signals a cautious approach, though experts doubt it will last without renewed diplomacy.
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