Introduction
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that his country would “halt” its participation in the New START nuclear nonproliferation deal with the United States in his State of the Nation speech on February 21, 2023. This decision comes amidst rising tensions between the two nations, particularly regarding Ukraine (Allison). The number of deployed nuclear weapons and delivery systems between the two nations is restricted by the New START agreement, which was signed in 2010.
Risks and Why
Global security is in danger as a result of Russia’s suspension of its participation in the New START nuclear nonproliferation pact with the United States. The agreement, which limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems between the two countries, is a crucial pillar of the nonproliferation regime (“New START Treaty”). Its termination could lead to a new arms race between the US and Russia, with other countries potentially pursuing their nuclear programs in response to the weakening of the global nonproliferation framework (Allison). This raises concerns about the potential for miscalculation and misunderstandings between the two nuclear-armed nations, increasing the likelihood of nuclear war.
World Threat
Global security is seriously threatened by Russia’s suspension of its participation in the New START nuclear nonproliferation accord. The New START agreement is a critical component of the international nonproliferation regime, and its termination could have far-reaching consequences (“New START Treaty”). It may result in a fresh weapons race between the US and Russia, raising the possibility of errors of judgment and misunderstandings between the two nuclear-armed countries and a disastrous nuclear conflict. Additionally, the weakening of the nonproliferation framework could signal to other countries that the international rules-based order is weakening, leading to more countries pursuing their nuclear programs (Allison). This, in turn, could further destabilize the global security landscape, posing a significant threat to the world.
Conclusion
The suspension of Russia’s involvement in the New START deal is a worrying step that emphasizes the frailty of international security. It underscores the need for continued efforts to strengthen the international nonproliferation regime and the imperative of finding peaceful solutions to conflicts between nations. To address the underlying reasons for the hostilities between the United States and Russia and to make sure that the disarmament process does not backtrack, the international community must cooperate.
Works Cited
Allison, Graham. “Consider these 4 inconvenient questions as the Ukraine war moves forward.” The Washington Post, Web.
“New START Treaty.” United States Department of State, Web.