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Russia says it's open to diplomacy but will counter any new threats after expiry of nuclear treaty
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 4, 2026
Home > Headlines > Russia says it's open to diplomacy but will counter any new threats after expiry of nuclear treaty
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Quick Summary
Russia is open to nuclear diplomacy but warns of countering threats as the New START treaty expires, raising arms race concerns.
Russia Open to Nuclear Diplomacy but Ready to Address New Threats
Russia's Nuclear Diplomacy and Security
MOSCOW, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday it was open to diplomacy on nuclear security but would resolutely counter any new threats, after what it called a mistaken and regrettable decision by the United States not to stick to the missile and warhead limits of the expiring New START nuclear treaty.
Implications of the New START Treaty Expiry
The 2010 New START treaty, which limits the size of the Russian and U.S. strategic nuclear arsenals, expires at the end of Wednesday, and the two sides have not held any talks on a replacement.
Concerns Over a New Arms Race
Security experts have voiced concern that the treaty's lapse could pave the way for a new arms race in which China would also be a major player.
(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Key Takeaways
- •Russia is open to nuclear diplomacy despite treaty expiry.
- •The New START treaty limits Russian and U.S. nuclear arsenals.
- •The treaty's expiry raises concerns of a new arms race.
- •China could become a significant player in future arms discussions.
- •No talks have been held for a replacement treaty.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia says it's open to diplomacy but will counter any new threats after expiry of nuclear treaty
1What are strategic nuclear arsenals?
Strategic nuclear arsenals are stockpiles of nuclear weapons designed for long-range delivery systems, intended to deter adversaries and provide national security.
