The Kremlin has emphasized that nuclear weapons are the primary deterrent preventing a major global conflict, amidst growing apprehensions about the future of international arms control. This statement follows the expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the United States, a pivotal agreement that had previously limited the number of deployed nuclear warheads possessed by the two nations.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, highlighted that the global security landscape is deteriorating with the lapse of the New START treaty, which ended in February. Without the constraints of this agreement, Peskov warned that the likelihood of a broader conflict may increase in the absence of nuclear deterrence. Additionally, he pointed out that advancements in non-nuclear technologies could eventually pose a destructive capability comparable to that of nuclear weapons.
The dissolution of the New START treaty has sparked concerns regarding the potential onset of a new arms race among major world powers. Established in 2010, the treaty had set a cap on the nuclear arsenals of both Russia and the United States at 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each. It was the last significant accord aimed at limiting their nuclear capabilities.
In response to these developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump advocated for a new arms control agreement that would include China, whose nuclear capabilities have been on the rise. However, Beijing has dismissed invitations to participate in such negotiations. Meanwhile, Moscow has suggested that any future treaty should also encompass U.S. allies, specifically the United Kingdom and France, to ensure a more comprehensive approach to arms control.