White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gestures during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 5, 2026. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called for replacing the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the United States and Russia with a "modernized" deal.
"We should have our Nuclear Experts work on a new, improved, and modernized Treaty that can last long into the future," Trump said on Truth Social.
He refused to extend the treaty which expired on Thursday, and criticized it, saying the pact is "a badly negotiated deal by the United States" and "is being grossly violated."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that the expiration of New START marks a "grave moment" for international peace and security.
New START, signed by Russia and the United States in 2010, aims to limit the number of deployed nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. The treaty entered into force on Feb. 5, 2011, with an initial validity period of 10 years and was later extended through Feb. 4, 2026.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September 2025 that Russia would continue to observe the core limits of the treaty for one year after its expiration, provided that the United States refrains from actions that undermine the existing strategic balance. ■
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gestures during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 5, 2026. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)