NATO Pushes For 'Restraint' As US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Expires

Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 16:00 IST

NATO urges responsibility and restraint as the New START treaty between the US and Russia expires. The Kremlin called the end of the accord a negative step.

The passing of New START signals a shift from a managed regime of deterrence to an unstable, competitive environment where the 'margin for error' has become dangerously thin. Representational Image

NATO on Thursday emphasised on the need for “responsibility and restraint" as the New START treaty between the US and Russia that imposed limits on their nuclear arsenals expired.

“Restraint and responsibility in the nuclear domain is crucial to global security," AFP quotes an official from the US-led military alliance saying, on condition of anonymity.

The official further said Russia and China were ramping up their nuclear capabilities and NATO “will continue to take steps necessary" to ensure its own defences.

“Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercive nuclear signalling demonstrate a posture of strategic intimidation," the official said.

“China continues to rapidly expand and diversify its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and a larger number of sophisticated delivery systems," they added.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Thursday expressed regret over the end of the last treaty governing the nuclear arsenals of Russia and the US and called it a negative step.

AFP quoted the US saying that any new nuclear agreement would have to include China, but international efforts to encourage Beijing to join fresh talks have so far failed.

What Is New START Treaty?

The accord, signed in 2010, was the key component of the US administration’s policy to reset relations with the Kremlin.

It limited the arsenals of both to a maximum of 1,550 deployed strategic offensive warheads each – a reduction of about 30% compared with the previous ceiling set in 2002. It also put a limit to the number of launchers and heavy bombers at 800.

According to AFP, the treaty provided for mutual inspections of military sites, a pillar of the “trust but verify" disarmament policy when Ronald Reagan was US president.

Also Read: START To Finish: As US-Russia Nuclear Weapons Treaty Expires, What Does This Mean For The World?

The treaty was signed as a last-minute deal in January 2021 between Russia and then US President Joe Biden’s administration to extend it to February 4, 2026.

In August 2022, Russia suspended US inspections of its military sites as part of the treaty, saying this was in response to obstacles by the Washington to Russia inspecting US military sites.

According to AFP, no inspections have taken place since, reducing New START to a commitment to remain under the agreed limits.

In September last year, Vladimir Putin proposed extending the treaty’s terms for one more year, which was approved by Donald Trump but was not followed up on.

News world NATO Pushes For 'Restraint' As US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Expires

Read More