Overview
- The treaty lapsed on February 5, removing caps of 1,550 deployed warheads and 700 delivery systems per side and ending formal on‑site verification.
- Kremlin officials, including Dmitry Peskov and Dmitry Medvedev, warned the post‑treaty landscape will be more dangerous.
- Russia proposed a one‑year extension but took no new steps ahead of the deadline, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the lack of a U.S. reply amounts to a response.
- The United States favors negotiating a new framework, with President Trump suggesting a lapsed pact could yield a “better” deal and signaling a desire to include China.
- Separate diplomacy continues in Abu Dhabi on the Ukraine conflict, where the White House says special envoy Steve Witkoff will take part in talks.