Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on February 11, 2026, that Moscow will continue observing the restrictions of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) even though the pact formally expired on February 5, 2026, provided the United States adheres to the same limits on deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems.

Lavrov made the remarks during a session of Russia’s lower house of parliament, signalling Moscow’s intention to maintain strategic restraint in the absence of a legally binding treaty. He framed Russia’s continued compliance as conditional on U.S. behaviour, saying that Russia will act “in a responsible and balanced way” based on its assessment of U.S. military policies.

Background: New START and Its Expiry

The New START treaty was signed in 2010 between then‑U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as the last major arms control agreement limiting the nuclear arsenals of the world’s two largest nuclear powers. Under the treaty, each side was capped at 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and up to 700 deployed delivery systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine‑launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers, limits meant to promote stability and reduce nuclear risks.

New START had been extended once for five years in 2021, but it was allowed to expire on February 5, 2026, without a formal replacement or extension agreed by both sides. Its lapse marks the first time in over five decades that the United States and Russia are not bound by a treaty that caps their strategic nuclear arsenals, raising concerns among arms control experts about a potential new arms race.

U.S. Stance and China Factor

Before the expiry, Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to keep observing New START limits for up to a year if Washington reciprocated. However, the U.S. — under former President Donald Trump, declined the proposal, stating any future nuclear arms agreement should include China, a condition Beijing has rejected because its arsenal is smaller and it does not seek caps at the same level.

Despite the lack of a new treaty, both countries appear to be exploring channels for continued dialogue on strategic stability. Moscow has signalled its willingness to engage in further discussions, while Washington has emphasised the need for a modernised approach to nuclear arms control.

Global Concerns and Future Outlook

The end of New START eliminates formal verification mechanisms, such as on‑site inspections, many of which have been dormant for years, potentially reducing transparency and increasing mistrust. Arms control advocates warn the absence of binding limits could spur expansion of nuclear arsenals over time, especially if future diplomatic efforts falter.

For now, Russia’s pledge to uphold the limits, so long as the U.S. does too, reflects a fragile, informal understanding that stops short of a formal legal framework but seeks to preserve elements of strategic stability.

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