Overview
- The last U.S.–Russia nuclear arms treaty is weeks from lapsing with no talks underway on a replacement.
- President Vladimir Putin proposed in September that both sides continue adhering to New START limits for one year, and the U.S. has issued no formal reply.
- President Donald Trump told the New York Times, "If it expires, it expires," and said any future pact should include China, which Beijing rejects as unrealistic.
- New START caps deployed warheads at 1,550 per side, while Russia has blocked mutual inspections since 2023 and is developing systems outside the treaty’s scope such as Burevestnik and Poseidon.
- Analysts say a rapid successor deal is unlikely and recommend immediate risk‑reduction steps like renewed crisis communications and confidence‑building measures.