US–Russia Nuclear Tensions Rise as Final Arms Pact Approaches Its End

The last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia is approaching its expiration date, raising global concerns as both Washington and Moscow exchange increasingly aggressive rhetoric over potential weapons testing.

With the treaty set to lapse soon, diplomatic channels between the two powers have grown strained. Former President Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. may consider new nuclear testing if Russia continues to “expand its capabilities unchecked,” while Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued his own warnings, signaling that Moscow would respond in kind to any perceived escalation.

The breakdown of the decades-long framework that once limited strategic arsenals marks a significant turning point in global security. Experts warn that allowing the agreement to expire without replacement could trigger a destabilizing cycle of weapons development, eroding transparency between the two largest nuclear powers.

Efforts to negotiate an extension or successor deal have stalled. U.S. officials accuse Russia of repeatedly violating inspection protocols and refusing to engage in substantive dialogue. Russian authorities, for their part, insist Washington has undermined the treaty’s foundations through sanctions and expanded military partnerships in Europe.

The sharp exchange of threats has heightened fears of a renewed arms race—something the treaty was originally designed to prevent. Without mutual limits, both countries could pursue more advanced warheads, delivery systems, and testing programs, increasing the risk of miscalculation.

While some analysts still hope for a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, both sides appear more focused on posturing than compromise. As the deadline approaches, the world is left watching two nuclear superpowers drift further away from the stability that has defined much of the post–Cold War era.

Author: M.J