New START Nuclear Treaty Expires: US-Russia Arms Race Fears Rise as Ukraine Prisoner Swap Offers Hope

NuclearTreaty

On February 5, 2026, the last major US-Russia nuclear arms control agreement ended, while Ukraine and Russia agreed to swap 314 prisoners — mixed signals in global security.

The New START treaty expired on February 5, 2026, leaving the US and Russia without limits on strategic nuclear warheads for the first time in decades. Russia declared itself “no longer bound,” raising alarms about escalation. The treaty (2010, extended 2021) capped warheads at 1,550 with inspections.

In contrast, Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi led to a prisoner swap of 314 people. The second round was constructive but yielded no ceasefire progress.

These events highlight fragile global stability — nuclear constraints gone, yet small diplomatic wins possible.