The World Faces a New Nuclear Era as the Last US-Russia Treaty Expires.

The End of a Key Nuclear Pact: Global Security Implications

According to TSN.ua: Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, has issued a stark warning about the heightened risk of nuclear war. This follows the expiration of the last major nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States, known as New START (SNO-3), which lapsed on February 5, 2023. Medvedev notes that for the first time since 1972, the two nations lack a functioning agreement to limit their strategic nuclear forces, a cornerstone of global stability for decades.

The history of US-Russian relations includes several landmark arms control treaties, such as:

• SALT 1
• SALT 2
• START I
• START II
• SORT
• New START

These pacts are now relics of the past. It is crucial to highlight that Russia had already suspended its participation in the New START treaty in 2023, significantly complicating international security efforts even before its formal expiry.

In response to these challenges, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Moscow is prepared to take decisive military-technical countermeasures to address potential threats to its national security. This development has caused deep concern within the international community, as the absence of a binding framework could lead to a dangerous escalation of tensions between the world's two largest nuclear powers.

The Critical Need for Dialogue to Ensure Global Stability

This precarious situation underscores the urgent necessity for continued dialogue between Russia and the United States to prevent a nuclear confrontation and ensure global stability.

The lapse of the final active nuclear treaty not only increases the risk of conflict escalation but also poses a direct threat to global security. Without effective mechanisms to control and limit nuclear arsenals, the world risks entering a period where nuclear weapons could be used as tools of political coercion. Resuming negotiations and forging new paths for cooperation on nuclear safety has become critically important to avert potentially catastrophic consequences for all nations.