UN chief urges US, Russia to negotiate successor to New START treaty

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the United States and Russia to begin discussions on a successor framework to the New START treaty, the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the two countries.

Guterres urged all countries possessing nuclear weapons to return to dialogue aimed at preventing any use of a nuclear weapon and reducing the role nuclear weapons play in national security policies. His appeal comes amid continued uncertainty over the future of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow.

New START, which limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems held by the US and Russia, has been the primary remaining bilateral arms control mechanism between the two nuclear powers. Without a successor agreement, questions have grown about how the two countries would manage strategic stability going forward.

The UN chief's call reflects broader international concern about the erosion of arms control frameworks built up over previous decades, at a time when tensions between major nuclear powers remain elevated. Guterres has repeatedly used his position to press nuclear states toward renewed dialogue on disarmament and risk reduction.

No formal talks between US and Russian officials on a successor framework have been announced following Guterres's remarks.