Russia suspends its participation in New START: Arms control and risk reduction in the current moment

Vladimir Putin announced on February 21 that Russia was suspending its participation in the New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation. The move, which President Biden called a “big mistake,” reduces prospects for an agreement to replace New START when it expires in February 2026, prospects already diminished by the sharp deterioration of U.S.-Russian relations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It also increases the risk of an accelerated major power nuclear arms competition and raises questions about the future of arms control.

On Monday, February, 27, the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology hosted a conversation with Mallory Stewart, assistant secretary for arms control, verification, and compliance at the U.S. Department of State, on prospects for arms control and risk reduction in the current moment, including Putin’s recent announcement on New START.

Online viewers submitted questions by emailing events@brookings.edu or on Twitter @BrookingsFP using #NewSTARTSuspension.