New START Treaty Ends: US and Russia Face No Nuclear Limits

The expiration of the New START treaty marks the end of a nuclear arms control system that had been in place since the 1970s, leaving the US and Russia without mutual restrictions.

New START, which expired today, included inspections, data exchange, and numerical limits. Previous agreements, such as SALT I (1972) and START I (1991), also aimed to limit nuclear arsenals.

According to estimates, Russia possesses approximately 5,500 nuclear warheads, while the US has around 5,200. China is also expanding its nuclear capabilities.

With the end of New START, there are no longer legally binding agreements limiting the strategic nuclear weapons of the two countries, increasing uncertainty and reducing transparency.