Nuclear Crisis Looms Between Russia and the US: What Comes After the New START Treaty?.

Potential Fallout from Nuclear Weapons Use and the Russia-US Arms Agreement

According to TSN.ua: Signed more than 15 years ago, the New START treaty between Russia and the United States officially expired in 2021. However, Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden exercised a one-time option to extend the pact by five years, preserving the foundational framework for controlling both nations' nuclear arsenals. This agreement remains a critical pillar of global security as tensions between the two nuclear superpowers escalate.

During a meeting of Russia's Security Council, Putin stated that the Kremlin is prepared to abide by New START for an additional year after its expiration—provided the United States makes a reciprocal commitment. These remarks underscore the treaty's significance in the context of international security and nuclear arms control. Meanwhile, experts have voiced alarm over the potential consequences of nuclear deployment. Mark Burns warned:

'If nuclear weapons are used, casualties will skyrocket. The United States would then be forced to retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal, resulting in millions of Russian deaths.'

In light of recent developments, Vladimir Putin noted that 'a complete abandonment of nuclear arms control is what I call a mistaken and shortsighted step.' This reflects an awareness of the dangers posed by escalating nuclear confrontation. Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, stating:

'If the agreement expires—so be it. We'll just negotiate a better deal.'

Thus, the issue of nuclear arms control remains pressing, and the potential use of nuclear weapons could bring catastrophic consequences for all parties involved.

Security Landscape in Nuclear Arms Control

The security context surrounding nuclear weapons remains critically important in today's international environment, where relations between Russia and the United States continue to deteriorate. Preserving the New START treaty—even conditionally—could serve as a key factor in preventing conflict escalation. At the same time, statements from leaders of both countries reveal deep divisions in their approaches to nuclear safety, which could complicate future arms control negotiations.