Russia has asserted that its nuclear arsenal is the sole factor preventing the escalation of a major global conflict, amid increasing apprehensions about the future of international arms control. The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that the global security framework is deteriorating following the expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the United States. This treaty, which concluded in February, had previously capped the number of deployed nuclear warheads for both nations.
Peskov cautioned that the absence of nuclear deterrence might elevate the risk of a broader conflict. He further suggested that emerging non-nuclear technologies could eventually possess destructive capacities comparable to nuclear weapons. The dissolution of New START has sparked worries about the potential onset of a renewed arms race among major global powers. This agreement, established in 2010, had limited both Russia and the US to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads, representing the last significant accord regulating their nuclear capabilities.
In response to the treaty’s expiration, there have been calls for new arms control negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump advocated for a fresh agreement that would encompass China, whose nuclear capabilities have been progressively expanding. However, Beijing has dismissed the idea of participating in such talks. Moscow, on the other hand, has argued that any forthcoming treaty should also include US allies like the UK and France.
The expiration of New START reflects broader challenges in maintaining global arms control agreements, with the potential for a new arms race looming large. The international community is now faced with the complex task of addressing these challenges while ensuring that emerging technologies do not exacerbate existing tensions. As geopolitical dynamics shift, the role of nuclear deterrence remains a contentious subject, with significant implications for future global security.