Russia has emphasized the critical role of nuclear weapons in preventing a large-scale global conflict, amid escalating concerns regarding the future of international arms control agreements. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the global security framework is under threat following the lapse of the New START treaty, an agreement between Russia and the United States that expired in February. This treaty had previously set limits on the number of deployed nuclear warheads for both nations.
Peskov expressed concerns that, in the absence of nuclear deterrence, the likelihood of broader conflicts might rise. He also highlighted the potential for future non-nuclear technologies to evolve into weapons capable of causing destruction on par with nuclear arms. This perspective underscores the delicate balance maintained by nuclear capabilities in global security dynamics.
The dissolution of the New START treaty has sparked fears of a renewed arms race among major world powers. Originally signed in 2010, the treaty restricted both Russia and the United States to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each and represented the last significant agreement limiting their nuclear arsenals. Its expiration marks a pivotal moment in the sphere of global arms control.
In response to the treaty’s collapse, former US President Donald Trump advocated for a fresh arms control agreement that would include China, a nation whose nuclear capabilities have been on the rise. However, Beijing has declined to participate in such negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia has suggested that any future agreement should encompass US allies, including the UK and France, to ensure a comprehensive approach to global arms control.