Is the Expiration of New START a 'Grave Moment' for Global Peace and Security?
Synopsis
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raises alarms over the expiration of New START, stating it poses a serious threat to global peace and security. With no binding limits on nuclear arsenals, he calls for urgent negotiations to prevent a new arms race. Can the world hope for a new arms control framework amidst rising tensions?
Key Takeaways
New START's expiration raises significant concerns for global peace.
UN Secretary-General urges immediate negotiations.
Absence of limits on nuclear arsenals heightens risks.
Strategic arms control has historically prevented nuclear catastrophe.
Opportunity exists to develop a new arms control framework.
United Nations, Feb 5 (NationPress) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed that the end of New START, the nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia, signifies a critical juncture for international peace and security.
"For the first time in over fifty years, we are confronted with a reality devoid of any binding constraints on the strategic nuclear capabilities of the Russian Federation and the United States, the two nations that hold the vast majority of the world's nuclear arsenal," stated Guterres during a press briefing on Wednesday (local time).
New START, which places limitations on the number of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems for both nations, is set to expire on Thursday.
During the Cold War and its subsequent years, nuclear arms control between these two powers played a key role in averting disaster.
This agreement fostered stability and, alongside other initiatives, mitigated the chances of catastrophic miscalculations. Most significantly, it enabled the reduction of thousands of nuclear weapons from national stockpiles.
Strategic arms control has significantly enhanced the security of all global citizens, particularly those residing in the United States and Russia, noted Guterres.
The timing of New START's expiration is particularly concerning, as the threat of nuclear weapon usage is at its peak in decades, he remarked.
"In this moment of uncertainty, we must remain hopeful. This presents an opportunity to re-establish and develop an arms control framework suitable for our rapidly changing environment," Guterres asserted. "I applaud both presidents for recognizing the destabilizing effect of a nuclear arms race and the necessity to avoid reverting to a landscape of unregulated nuclear proliferation. The world now anticipates that Russia and the United States will transform their statements into meaningful action."
Guterres has urged both countries to promptly return to negotiations and reach an agreement on a successor framework that reinstates verifiable limits, reduces risks, and enhances collective global security.
New START, which came into effect in 2011, was the final arms control agreement between Russia and the United States following Washington's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019.
Point of View
I believe the expiration of New START is a significant concern not only for the United States and Russia but for the entire world. It underscores the necessity for renewed dialogue and cooperation on nuclear arms control to ensure safety and stability on a global scale.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the expiration of New START concerning?
The expiration signifies the absence of binding constraints on nuclear arsenals, increasing the risk of nuclear conflict at a time when tensions are already high.
What has the UN Secretary-General said about this issue?
Antonio Guterres has warned that the end of New START represents a grave moment for international peace and security, urging both nations to return to the negotiating table.
What does strategic arms control mean?
Strategic arms control refers to agreements and treaties that aim to limit and reduce the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems to enhance global security.
What might happen if no new arms control agreements are established?
The lack of new agreements could lead to a renewed arms race, increasing the risk of nuclear conflict and destabilizing global security.
