US and Russia on Brink of Nuclear Arms Race as Historic Treaty Expires
A half-century-old treaty between the United States and Russia has reached its expiration, marking the first time in over 50 years that the two global powers have no nuclear arms control agreement. The New START Treaty, which was set to expire in February 2026, had limited both nations to 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers armed with no more than 1,500 nuclear warheads.
Negotiations between the US and Russia broke down last year amidst tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to extend the treaty in 2025, but US President Donald Trump rejected this proposal, instead pushing for a new agreement that would include China due to its rapidly growing nuclear arsenal.
The expiration of the treaty has drawn warnings from lawmakers on both sides. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) described the situation as "serious," warning that without a new agreement, the US and Russia could be on the brink of an arms race, putting global security at risk. She called for the Trump administration to pursue arms control deals to keep Americans safe.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) echoed Warren's concerns, stating that the expiration "brings great risk for a dangerous and costly" arms race between the US, Russia, and China. He urged the Doomsday Clock to be adjusted closer to midnight, highlighting the growing threat of nuclear conflict.
Deputy Chair of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev made a cryptic statement on X, warning that "winter is coming." However, sources close to the negotiations suggest that a "good faith" agreement between the US and Russia may still be possible, under which both countries would continue to follow the expired treaty's rules.
As the world watches with growing unease, one thing is clear: the expiration of the New START Treaty marks a significant turning point in global nuclear diplomacy. The question remains whether Washington and Moscow can put aside their differences and work towards a new agreement that keeps Americans safe and reduces the risk of nuclear conflict.
A half-century-old treaty between the United States and Russia has reached its expiration, marking the first time in over 50 years that the two global powers have no nuclear arms control agreement. The New START Treaty, which was set to expire in February 2026, had limited both nations to 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers armed with no more than 1,500 nuclear warheads.
Negotiations between the US and Russia broke down last year amidst tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to extend the treaty in 2025, but US President Donald Trump rejected this proposal, instead pushing for a new agreement that would include China due to its rapidly growing nuclear arsenal.
The expiration of the treaty has drawn warnings from lawmakers on both sides. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) described the situation as "serious," warning that without a new agreement, the US and Russia could be on the brink of an arms race, putting global security at risk. She called for the Trump administration to pursue arms control deals to keep Americans safe.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) echoed Warren's concerns, stating that the expiration "brings great risk for a dangerous and costly" arms race between the US, Russia, and China. He urged the Doomsday Clock to be adjusted closer to midnight, highlighting the growing threat of nuclear conflict.
Deputy Chair of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev made a cryptic statement on X, warning that "winter is coming." However, sources close to the negotiations suggest that a "good faith" agreement between the US and Russia may still be possible, under which both countries would continue to follow the expired treaty's rules.
As the world watches with growing unease, one thing is clear: the expiration of the New START Treaty marks a significant turning point in global nuclear diplomacy. The question remains whether Washington and Moscow can put aside their differences and work towards a new agreement that keeps Americans safe and reduces the risk of nuclear conflict.
I'm telling you, this nuclear arms race thing is getting out of hand! 
Like, I get it, Russia's been all up in Ukraine's grill and the US needs to respond, but come on, a global catastrophe? 
We can't afford that. The Doomsday Clock should be set like, yesterday! 
I mean, what's next, a new Cold War? 
No way, we need a fresh start. I'm all for diplomacy and cooperation, not brinksmanship. And don't even get me started on China getting in the mix... 
We can't let our guard down just because they're "raptly growing" their nuclear arsenal. 
This is serious stuff, folks. The world needs to come together on this one. 
It's like, super scary when you think about two of the world's biggest powers not having any rules to follow anymore. The US and Russia have been so careful with their nukes for years under the New START Treaty 
, and now that it's expired, it feels like they're just winging it 
.
. Like, China is already getting more powerful by the minute, so it's only fair that we address their nukes too 
. But I also get why Sen. Warren and Ed Markey are worried 
.
. A "good faith" agreement that keeps Americans safe and reduces the risk of nuclear conflict is what we need more than ever 
#NuclearDiplomacyMatters #GlobalSecurity #USRussiaTreaty
️
, and lawmakers like @SenWarren and @SenMarkey are sounding the alarm. We need a new treaty ASAP to prevent an arms race that could lead to global catastrophe 
. And Dmitry Medvedev's statement about "winter is coming" is just eerie 
and no one knows how to turn back the clock. I'm all for diplomacy & dialogue but it seems like neither side is willing to budge. 
Dmitry Medvedev's "winter is coming" comment? 
chill dude, let's not resort to that kind of rhetoric. We need rational leaders making smart decisions, not some kinda Cold War brinksmanship 
China's got its own nukes growing, and now it looks like we're back to a new arms race with Russia... it's like, what are we even doing here? 
And Sen. Warren and Ed Markey are right, we can't have a nuke arms race, that's like, super bad news for everyone! 
And there's still hope for a good faith agreement between US and Russia... but it's like, can we trust them right now? 
. We can't control everything, but we can make choices on how we want to approach these complex issues.
. I'm all for arms control deals, but it seems like they're gonna have to really put their heads together if they wanna avoid a nuclear nightmare 
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke 
We need bold action now to keep global security in check!