Overview
- Russia declared it is no longer bound by New START’s caps and said it will act responsibly while reserving the right to take decisive countermeasures.
- President Donald Trump has not committed to any stopgap arrangement, with a State Department official saying he will decide on his own timeline.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled the administration’s preference for talks that include China, which has been expanding its nuclear forces.
- The treaty’s expiration removes the 1,550 deployed warhead limit and formal inspections, which have been suspended since 2023, increasing uncertainty about actual force levels.
- Arms‑control experts and campaigners warn the lapse could spur uploads and a new multi‑player arms buildup, even as Pope Leo and others urge fresh negotiations.