The Russian Federation has formally confirmed the expiration of the Russia–United States New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), stating that both Russia and the United States are no longer bound by its obligations following its termination on February 5, 2026.
In a statement issued by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moscow recalled that the treaty—signed in 2010, implemented in 2011 and extended once in 2021—played a critical role in curbing the strategic arms race and providing predictability in bilateral nuclear relations.
Russia said it suspended its participation in New START in February 2023, citing what it described as persistent violations and hostile actions by the United States that undermined the agreement’s core principles.
According to the statement, U.S. military policies, particularly in missile defence, disrupted the strategic balance envisaged under the treaty and constituted a material breach that made its full implementation impossible.
Despite these concerns, Moscow acknowledged that New START largely fulfilled its purpose by enabling significant reductions in strategic offensive arms and reinforcing global strategic stability.
Russia noted that even after suspending its participation, it voluntarily continued to observe the treaty’s central numerical limits until its expiration, a commitment the United States had also pledged to honour.
The statement further revealed that in September 2025, President Vladimir Putin proposed extending voluntary limits on strategic weapons for at least one year beyond the treaty’s expiration. Russian authorities said the proposal received no formal response from Washington.
With the treaty now expired, Russia stated that no binding commitments or reciprocal declarations remain in force.
Moscow said it would shape its future strategic arms policy based on assessments of U.S. military posture and broader global security developments.
While warning that it is prepared to adopt military-technical measures to safeguard national security if new threats arise, Russia reiterated its readiness for diplomatic engagement aimed at stabilising the strategic environment, provided dialogue is conducted on equal and mutually beneficial terms.
Michael Olugbode, Abuja
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