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Trump Signals Potential Expiration of New START Treaty

1/9/2026

Center

Trump Considers Treaty Expiration

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he might let the New START treaty expire, saying "if it expires, it expires".
The treaty limits U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear warheads and is set to expire on February 5.
Trump said a better agreement could be reached and urged including China in future negotiations.
The remarks came in a New York Times interview.
Spokespeople from the Russian and Chinese embassies did not respond to requests for comments.

Right

UK Nuclear Policy Update

Policy Exchange, a UK think tank, warns the United Kingdom is vulnerable to China and Russia because its nuclear deterrence is outdated.
Co-authored by Lord Stirrup, the report calls for updates to the UK's nuclear policy, including large-scale exercises and revisiting Cold War–era theories.
Defence Secretary John Healey acknowledges rising threats and says the UK must deter Russia, especially after military support for the U.S. seizing a Russian oil tanker.

History

Historical Context

The New START treaty, signed on April 8, 2010, by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, aimed to reduce both nations' nuclear arsenals to 1,550 warheads each. This treaty emerged from Cold War tensions, where the U.S. and USSR amassed over 70,000 nuclear weapons. Trump's suggestion to let it expire raises concerns about a potential arms race and global security risks.

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Trump Considers Treaty Expiration

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he might let the New START treaty expire, saying "if it expires, it expires".
The treaty limits U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear warheads and is set to expire on February 5.
Trump said a better agreement could be reached and urged including China in future negotiations.
The remarks came in a New York Times interview.
Spokespeople from the Russian and Chinese embassies did not respond to requests for comments.

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