Kremlin Claims Nuclear Weapons Remain Sole Safeguard Against Global War

At a foreign-policy forum in Moscow on 24 June, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the global security system was eroding and declared nuclear weapons the only barrier preventing a worldwide war, adding that advancing non-nuclear technologies could eventually match nuclear destructive power.

The Straits TimesRussia Says Nuclear Weapons ‘Only’ Guarantee against Global WarRussia Says Nuclear Weapons the ‘Only’ Guarantee Against Global WarPutin reinforces the Russian nuclear triad amid war

The New START treaty, signed in 2010, limited the United States and Russia to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each. It expired in February 2024, leaving the two largest arsenals unrestricted for the first time in decades. Both capitals have agreed to resume high-level military talks, but no public plan to renew or replace the pact has emerged.

Russia Says Nuclear Weapons the ‘Only’ Guarantee Against Global War

Peskov emphasized nuclear deterrence as the sole barrier to global conflict and warned that emerging weapons could soon rival nuclear power. Putin told Interfax that Russia’s nuclear triad is being consistently modernized under the state armament program, noting a growing navy. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged a new treaty that would also involve China, whose nuclear arsenal, while expanding, remains far smaller than those of Russia and the United States. Beijing has publicly rejected the proposal, while European officials have warned that Moscow’s stance could trigger a multi-country arms race.

Russia Says Nuclear Weapons ‘Only’ Guarantee against Global WarThe Straits TimesRussia Says Nuclear Weapons the ‘Only’ Guarantee Against Global WarPutin reinforces the Russian nuclear triad amid war

European and U.S. officials argue that Russia’s focus on nuclear deterrence heightens tensions and undermines global stability, contending that the lack of a binding treaty raises the risk of miscalculation and may prompt other states to expand their arsenals. Sources provide no concrete timeline for renewing New START or details of any draft treaty text, and information on China’s exact nuclear stockpile size is limited to a qualitative description of it being “far smaller” than Russia’s or the United States’. The specifics of Russia’s triad modernization beyond general statements remain unspecified.

Russia Says Nuclear Weapons ‘Only’ Guarantee against Global War

• “In fact, we have nothing left in this world apart from nuclear deterrence. It’s the only thing that protects the world from a global war,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman

The Straits Times

• “In accordance with our state armament program, the nuclear triad is being consistently modernized,” — Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

Putin reinforces the Russian nuclear triad amid war

• “The Navy is growing,” — Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

Putin reinforces the Russian nuclear triad amid war

• “Currently, there are no reasons to doubt the macroeconomic stability of our country. It is guaranteed,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman

Putin reinforces the Russian nuclear triad amid war

High-level military talks between Moscow and Washington are set to continue, while diplomatic work on a new agreement to replace New START remains uncertain. Russia’s announced triad modernization and U.S. calls for a China-inclusive treaty indicate that negotiations on global nuclear stability will persist amid competing security narratives.

Russia Says Nuclear Weapons ‘Only’ Guarantee against Global War