New START Expires; US Accuses China
Analysis based on 8 articles · First reported Feb 06, 2026 · Last updated Feb 06, 2026
The expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the United States, coupled with accusations of covert nuclear tests against China, creates significant uncertainty in global security. This could lead to increased defense spending and volatility in markets sensitive to geopolitical tensions, as the risk of an unconstrained nuclear arms race rises.
Russian and United States negotiators discussed the expiration of the New START treaty and agreed on the need to quickly launch new arms control talks. The New START treaty expired, leaving no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in over half a century, fueling fears of an unconstrained nuclear arms race. The United States emphasized the need for China to join a future arms pact and accused China of covert nuclear tests. China rejected these allegations and rebuffed efforts to join a nonproliferation deal, stating its nuclear capabilities are not on the same scale as the United States or Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to stick to the treaty's limits for another year if the United States followed suit, while United States President Donald Trump insisted on China's involvement in any new treaty. Despite the expiration of New START, Russia and the United States agreed to reestablish high-level, military-to-military dialogue.
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