Global Security Under Threat as New START Treaty Expires, UN Chief Warns of 'Grave Moment'

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Global Security Under Threat as New START Treaty Expires, UN Chief Warns of 'Grave Moment'

NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the expiration of the New START Treaty on February 4th represents a 'grave moment' for international peace and security, urging Russia and the United States to negotiate a new nuclear arms control framework without delay. This stark warning comes as the world enters an unprecedented era without binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers, raising profound concerns about global stability and the risk of a new arms race.

The New START Treaty, which entered into force in 2011 and was extended for five years in 2021, was the last remaining major nuclear arms control agreement between Washington and Moscow. It capped the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and bombs that both nations could possess, as well as their delivery systems, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers. For decades, this agreement provided a crucial measure of transparency and predictability in the nuclear relationship between the two powers, reducing the risk of miscalculation and escalation.

In a statement issued on February 4th, Guterres lamented: "For the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the Russian Federation and the United States of America – the two States that possess the overwhelming majority of the global stockpile of nuclear weapons." He underscored that the dissolution of decades of achievement in arms control "could not come at a worse time – the risk of a nuclear weapon being used is the highest in decades." These words reflect a growing anxiety amid current geopolitical tensions, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has severely deteriorated relations between Russia and the West.

The New START Treaty was not merely a legal document; it was a symbol of sustained diplomatic efforts to prevent a nuclear arms race. Its demise was anticipated following Russia's suspension of its participation in the treaty in February 2023, citing Western support for Ukraine. This decision significantly eroded trust, making the prospects for a new agreement appear exceedingly challenging in the current political climate. Nevertheless, Guterres emphasizes that the crisis also presents an opportunity.

The Secretary-General stated: "At the same time, there is now an opportunity to reset and create an arms control regime fit for a rapidly evolving context," welcoming the appreciation by the leaders of both Russia and the United States of the need to prevent a return to a world of unchecked nuclear proliferation. This appreciation, despite their often contradictory public rhetoric, suggests an underlying recognition of the gravity of the situation. However, translating these words into action will require immense political will and concessions from both sides.

Guterres called for immediate action, asserting: "The world now looks to the Russian Federation and the United States to translate words into action." He added: "I urge both states to return to the negotiating table without delay and to agree upon a successor framework that restores verifiable limits, reduces risks and strengthens our common security." The call for "verifiable limits" is paramount, as transparency and verification are the cornerstones of any effective arms control agreement. Without them, the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation is significantly amplified.

The absence of a binding agreement means that the two primary nuclear powers are free to increase their arsenals and develop new weapons without external scrutiny. This not only heightens the risks of direct conflict between them but also encourages other nations to develop or expand their nuclear programs, exacerbating the problem of nuclear proliferation. The urgent plea from the United Nations underscores that global security cannot be left to the goodwill of nations alone but requires robust institutional and legal frameworks to ensure stability and mitigate the existential threats posed by nuclear weapons.

Ekhbary News Agency