The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has warned that the end of the New START Treaty poses a significant danger to international security, scheduled for February 4, 2026.
In an official statement, Guterres noted that for the first time in over fifty years, there are no legally binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of both the Russian Federation and the United States, which possess the vast majority of the world’s nuclear stockpile.
He pointed out that the historic agreement between the two countries during and after the Cold War helped prevent disasters, build stability, and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic miscalculations, while also leading to the reduction of thousands of nuclear weapons and enhancing security for all peoples, including those of the United States and Russia.
The Secretary-General emphasized that the loss of these security gains amid current tensions presents an unprecedented risk in decades, urging caution and the implementation of practical steps to avoid any nuclear escalation. He affirmed that this moment represents an opportunity to reset the arms control framework in line with current global developments.
Guterres welcomed the statements from the leaders of the United States and Russia, which acknowledged the seriousness of the nuclear arms race and the urgent need to prevent unregulated proliferation. He called for both parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and develop a framework that imposes verifiable constraints, reduces risks, and enhances the collective security of humanity.
