Kremlin: Nuclear Deterrence Alone Prevents Global War as Treaty Expires

Nuclear weapons serve as the 'only' barrier preventing the world from descending into a global war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over a renewed arms race following the expiration of the last major arms control treaty between Russia and the United States.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), signed in 2010, expired in February 2026, marking the first time in decades that no treaty limits the deployment of strategic nuclear warheads by the world's two largest nuclear powers. The accord had restricted each country to 1,550 deployed warheads. Neither side has indicated a willingness to renew or replace the agreement, despite earlier agreements to resume high-level military talks.

Speaking at a foreign policy forum in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the global security system is 'eroding' and that nuclear deterrence remains the sole factor preventing a broader conflict. 'In fact, we have nothing left in this world apart from nuclear deterrence. It's the only thing that protects the world from a global war,' Peskov said. He also noted that emerging non-nuclear technologies could eventually match the destructive capability of nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently invoked nuclear rhetoric during his military campaign in Ukraine, which began in 2022. This has drawn criticism from European and American leaders, who accuse Russia of reckless behaviour.

US President Donald Trump has advocated for a new treaty that includes China, whose nuclear arsenal, while growing, remains significantly smaller than those of Russia or the United States. Beijing has publicly rejected this demand. Moscow has countered that if China is included, then Washington's nuclear allies—Britain and France—should also be part of any new agreement.

The expiration of New START marks a significant milestone in nuclear arms control, ending a series of Cold War-era agreements. Before its lapse, both Russia and the United States had accused each other of non-compliance. The absence of a binding treaty has raised fears of a renewed nuclear arms race, with potential global security implications.