UN Chief Issues Stark Warning Over End of U.S.–Russia Nuclear Deal

The New START treaty ends February five, freeing Washington and Moscow from binding nuclear limits, prompting a warning. Meanwhile, the expiration formally removes longstanding restrictions governing both countries’ strategic nuclear arsenals worldwide impacts. As tensions rise globally, the agreement’s end marks a critical shift in arms control efforts.

On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres urged both nations to sign a new deal quickly. He warned the treaty’s lapse arrives during a grave moment for peace and security globally. Therefore, he pressed Washington and Moscow to act before safeguards completely disappear from the system. He cautioned that delays could deepen mistrust and sharply increase the risk of irreversible nuclear escalation.

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Arms Control Vacuum Raises Global Alarm

However, the Kremlin called the treaty’s expiration dangerous as nuclear oversight vanishes rapidly today worldwide. For decades, binding agreements capped arsenals and reduced catastrophic miscalculation risks between major nuclear powers. Guterres stressed humanity now faces an era without enforceable strategic nuclear limits for the first. He warned that unchecked arsenals could fuel arms races and destabilize already fragile geopolitical balances. Consequently, experts fear the absence of limits may erode decades of hard-won nuclear restraint.

Moreover, he noted arms control treaties significantly strengthened global security for generations of all people. As a result, losing these frameworks heightens nuclear use risks worldwide during already unstable times. Finally, Guterres urged immediate negotiations to build a successor nuclear restraint framework between both powers. He emphasized that renewed dialogue remains the only path to prevent escalation and restore strategic stability globally.

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