Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that nuclear weapons are currently the sole deterrent preventing the world from sliding into a major global conflict. This assertion comes amid growing concerns about the weakening of international arms control, particularly following the expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the United States.
The New START treaty, which concluded in February, was a critical agreement that limited the number of deployed nuclear warheads for both nations. Its expiration has sparked fears of a potential new arms race among world powers. The treaty, established in 2010, capped each country’s deployment at 1,550 nuclear warheads and was the last significant pact in place to regulate their nuclear stockpiles.
Peskov highlighted that the global security framework is deteriorating and warned that without the deterrence provided by nuclear arsenals, there is an increased risk of broader conflicts. He also noted that advancements in non-nuclear technologies could eventually reach a level where their destructive capabilities rival those of nuclear weapons.
In the wake of the treaty’s collapse, the prospect of renewed arms competition has become a pressing issue. Former US President Donald Trump emphasized the need for a new arms control agreement that would also involve China, a nation with expanding nuclear capabilities. However, China has dismissed invitations to participate in such negotiations, and Russia has suggested that any future agreement should include US allies like the United Kingdom and France.