The Kremlin has underscored the importance of nuclear weapons as the sole deterrent against a significant global conflict, amidst increasing concerns about the state of international arms control. According to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, the global security infrastructure is becoming more fragile following the expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the United States. This agreement, which ended in February, had previously imposed limits on the number of deployed nuclear warheads both nations could maintain.
Peskov cautioned that the absence of nuclear deterrence could heighten the risk of broader conflicts. He also highlighted the potential for future non-nuclear technologies to evolve to a point where they could match the destructive capabilities of nuclear weapons. This perspective comes at a time when the collapse of the New START treaty has sparked fears of a renewed arms race among the world’s major powers.
Originally signed in 2010, the New START treaty was a pivotal accord that limited both Russia and the United States to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each. It stood as the last major agreement regulating their nuclear stockpiles. The treaty’s dissolution has raised alarms about the potential escalation of nuclear arsenals as other arms control measures weaken.
In response to these developments, US President Donald Trump has advocated for a new arms control agreement that would also include China, which has been expanding its nuclear capabilities. However, China has dismissed invitations to partake in such negotiations. Meanwhile, Moscow has expressed that any forthcoming agreement should also incorporate US allies, including the United Kingdom and France.