Guterres: Security risk the expiration of the New START treaty

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the expiration of the New START treaty as a "serious moment for international peace and security". He warned that for the first time in half a century, there are no binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of Russia and the United States.

Guterres stressed that Russia and the United States possess the vast majority of the world's nuclear weapons. He recalled that arms control averted disasters during the Cold War, built stability and prevented miscalculations.

The UN Secretary-General called on Moscow and Washington to return to negotiations and agree on a framework that would restore verifiable limits, reduce risks and enhance common security.