As the New START treaty between the United States and Russia expired, fears of a new arms race are echoing globally. This pivotal moment in nuclear diplomacy comes amid warnings from significant world leaders about the risks of undermining decades of agreements.
Trump Calls for New Nuclear Treaty
US President Donald Trump recently expressed the need for a brand new nuclear treaty, asserting that the expired agreement was ‘badly negotiated’ and ‘is being grossly violated’. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he urged for the establishment of a new, modernised treaty aimed at improving long-term global security.
Pope’s Warning
Pope Leo XIV also cautioned against the dangers of a potential arms race, emphasizing during his address that replacing fear with cooperation is becoming increasingly urgent. He called for concrete actions rather than abandoning existing agreements, stressing the importance of maintaining peace among nations.
The Stakes
- The expiration of New START eliminates key restrictions on nuclear arms for the US and Russia.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described this dissolution as occurring at a ‘grave moment’, warning that the risk of nuclear weapon use is at its highest in decades.
- A group of former senior arms control officials urged both nations to adhere to the limits established by New START, even post-expiry, to ensure nuclear stability.
Insights from NATO
NATO officials have called for restraint, condemning Russia’s nuclear posturing and pledging that the military alliance will take necessary steps to ensure global security.
This juncture presents a critical period for international diplomacy as relations linger on a knife-edge, with the actions taken now potentially sculpting the landscape of global security for years to come.