New START Treaty Expires — No Replacement in Force
February 5, 2026 · 21st Century
On February 5, 2026, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expired, leaving the United States and Russia without a legally binding agreement limiting strategic nuclear forces for the first time since 1972. Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev signed the treaty in Prague on April 8, 2010, capping each side at 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 deployed delivery systems. Russia suspended participation on February 21, 2023, citing NATO support for Ukraine. Donald Trump's administration negotiated no replacement treaty. Each side retains an estimated total stockpile exceeding 5,000 warheads.
Key Figures
Barack ObamaVladimir PutinDonald Trump
Locations
Prague
Topics
Cold WarRussiaUSAinternational lawnuclear weaponsgeopoliticsarms control
Connected Events — 4 Connections
Russian participation suspended in 2023 citing NATO arms support triggered by Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine
Ended 54-year era of binding nuclear constraints that began with ABM Treaty Signed by US and USSR
Final expiration in cascade of arms control dismantlement that included INF Treaty Collapses — Both Parties Withdraw
Announced 25 days after expiration of Macron Orders French Nuclear Warhead Increase and Announces Forward Deterrence Doctrine
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